Daejeon to open rarely accessible modern heritage sites to public

Daejeon will temporarily open modern architectural heritage sites that are normally off-limits to the public. The city announced Monday it will hold the "Daejeon Heritage Open House" event to give residents access to these sites.

The event runs every Wednesday at 2 p.m. from Sept. 16 to Sept. 30. Three sites located near residential areas but long restricted due to various circumstances will be opened in sequence: the modern-style villa on Bomunsan (Sept. 16), the Daeheung water reservoir (Sept. 23), and the Daeheung-dong pointed house — formally known as the Daeheung-dong eclectic-style residence — (Sept. 30).

The modern-style villa on Bomunsan was built in the 1930s as a villa-type cultural residence and in 2023 became the first structure in Daejeon to be designated a registered cultural heritage site. The city plans to open it fully to the public once restoration and maintenance work is complete. The Daeheung water reservoir, Daejeon's first water distribution facility, has been designated a civilian-restricted zone, limiting public access. The Daeheung-dong pointed house, a nationally registered cultural heritage site, has also been closed to the public due to the owner's circumstances.

During the event, interior spaces not normally open to visitors will be accessible, and on-site commentary will be provided by curators. The city hopes the event will give residents a chance to understand the history and value of these architectural heritage sites.

"We are opening spaces that have been difficult to access so that residents can see cultural heritage up close and appreciate its value," said Kwon Gyeong-min, director of Daejeon's culture, sports and tourism bureau. "We will continue to expand opportunities for residents to enjoy cultural heritage."