Ark Church Is Said to Be Shaped Like a Ship, Looking as if It's Floating on Water
said to look as if it's floating on water
If you've been exploring Jeju's more unusual buildings, you've probably come across Ark Church in Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo. It's said to sit along the same road, Sallongnam-ro 762beon-gil, as Bonte Museum, which GYULI introduced previously, so quite a few visitors are said to explore both places together. As the name suggests, this church is said to be shaped after the biblical 'ark,' and even though it's a religious facility, the building itself is often introduced as a striking sight worth seeing, drawing visitors who aren't necessarily churchgoers. Andeok-myeon is said to be home to a cluster of art museums and exhibition spaces, and among all these indoor spots, Ark Church is often singled out as an especially distinctive sight. So today, GYULI would like to carefully unpack the story behind Ark Church.
A Ship That Seems to Float on Water
What's said to make Ark Church best known is the shallow pool of water surrounding the building. A thin layer of water is said to be held around the structure, so that from a distance, it looks as though a ship is quietly floating on the water's surface. On calm, windless days, the building is said to reflect clearly on the water, making the illusion even more vivid. The color of the sky and the shape of the clouds are also said to be mirrored on the water, so the same spot is said to leave a completely different impression depending on the weather and time of day. The building isn't actually floating, of course, but it's said to have been designed specifically to create that visual impression — and many first-time visitors are said to be struck by it.
The lines of the roof and exterior walls are also said to follow curves and angles that evoke the shape of a ship. Some say the sharply rising section calls to mind a ship's bow, while others describe the building's overall silhouette as resembling a vessel cutting through waves. I'd rather not state definitively here exactly what intent or design process led to this form. The light coming in through the windows on the inside is also said to leave an impression, with the angle of the light said to shift through the day and gradually change the interior atmosphere along with it. Still, the idea of the ark — a ship — running consistently through the entire architecture is a detail that comes up again and again across sources and visitor accounts.
I'd imagined what a ship floating on water might look like, but seeing it in person left a far more mysterious impression than any photo had.
— 🍊 GYULI
Why It's Also Known as a Photo Spot
Ark Church is said to be a religious facility that's also frequently mentioned as a photo spot. Its distinctive appearance of seeming to float on water, combined with the surrounding natural scenery, is said to create a view unlike anywhere else, and visiting around sunset, or whenever the sky's color reflects across the water, is said to make for an especially striking scene. The colors of the surrounding trees and sky are also said to shift with the seasons, so the same building is said to show a slightly different face each time. For this reason, quite a few travelers are said to visit specifically to take photos.
That said, since Ark Church is also said to be an active place of worship, it's worth keeping a considerate attitude while taking photos, so as not to disturb any services or events taking place. Visiting hours and areas where photography is allowed are said to vary depending on the time and situation, so it's a good idea to check this in advance. Alongside admiring the unusual architecture, it's worth remembering that this is also said to be a meaningful place of worship for some.
Another Sight to Find in Andeok-myeon
Andeok-myeon, where Ark Church is located, is also well known as an area where Bonte Museum and several other art museums and exhibition spaces cluster together, and GYULI thinks that coming across a building this distinctive in between adds to the pleasure of exploring the area on foot. Bonte Museum and Ark Church are said to be only a short drive apart, so many visitors are said to combine the two into a single day's route. Whether the interior of Ark Church can be visited, and what it looks like inside, is said to vary depending on when you go and the circumstances at the time, so it's worth checking this in advance as well.
With its original purpose as a place of worship combined with its striking architecture shaped like a ship, Ark Church seems like a great option for anyone looking for a slightly different kind of sight on a Jeju trip. If you're planning to explore the Andeok-myeon area, GYULI recommends adding Ark Church to your route alongside Bonte Museum, so you can experience firsthand the impression of a building that looks as if it's floating on water.
GYULI's Tip · Ark Church is said to be an active place of worship, and its visiting hours and the areas where photography is allowed are said to vary depending on the period, so it's a good idea to check in advance before visiting.