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Historic Sites
We can vividly understand the May 18 Democratic Uprising through the critical historic sites or May Road, which is a tour program for the Gwangju democratization movement. Gwangju city and Jeollanam-do Province maintain the May 18 historic sites to preserve some important places for the May 18 democratic uprising. There
are many places that you need to visit. For example, the main gate of Chonnam National University, which was a starting point for the Gwangju democratization movement, the old Jeollanam-do Provincial Hall as the resistance headquarters, an old May 18 graveyard, and so on. The historic sites of the May 18 democratic uprising are the unique spaces that remind the deep agony at the time, and that prevailed by the great Gwangju citizens who kept up with their beliefs for caring, autonomy, and solidarity. After the uprising, the May 18 historic sites were positioned as evidence of the struggle, and became the sacred places genuinely to teach the democratization movement in history education.
1. The Main Gate of Chonnam National University (CNU)
CNU is the No.1 historic site of the May 18 Democratic Uprising that started at school's main gate. On May 18, 1980, the first clash between students and the Martial law enforcement army occurred. That morning, students gathered in front of the gate to protest against the army, which had blocked it to prevent the students from entering.
2. The May 18 National Cemetery
This is where the victims of the May 18 Democratic Uprising were buried. It opened in 1997 after a three-year construction and was designated as the May 18 National Cemetery in 2002.
3. The May 18 Archives
This is where the victims of the May 18 Democratic Uprising were buried. It opened in 1997 after a three-year construction and was designated as the May 18 National Cemetery in 2002.
4. The Old Jeollanam-do Provincial Hall
The resistance headquarters was stationed here during the May 18 Democratic Uprising. It was the last battleground where the Citizen's Army fought back against the paratroopers in the early morning on May 27, 1980.
5. The May 18 Liberty Park
It was an army base during the Uprising where demonstrators were temporarily detained before trials. It serves now as one of the May 18 related historic and educational sites.
6. The May 18 Memorial Park
It was constructed to commemorate the May 18 Democratic Uprising in 1998. Sculptures and memorial spaces for the citizen's army are situated here. The May 18 Foundation is also located at the north end of this park.
List of the whole historic site
| No. | Historic site | Address |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connam National University | 77, Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju |
| 2 | Gwangju Station Plaza | 611-8, Jungheung-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju |
| 3 | Old Public Intercity Bus Terminal Site | 225, Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 4 | Geumnam-ro (Old Catholic Center) | 221, Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 5-1 | Old Jellanam-do Provincail Hall | 38, Munhwajeondang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 5-2 | The May 18 Democracy Plaza | 41, Geumnamno 1(il)-ga, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 5-3 | Old Sangmu Sports Building (Military Martial Art Facilities) | 38, Munhwajeondang-ro,Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 5-4 | Gwangju YMCA | 246, Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 6 | Old Gwangju YMCA Site | 31-6, Jungang-ro 196beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 7 | Old Gwangju MBC Site | 145, Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 8 | Old Nokdu Bookstore Site | 134, Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 9 | Chonnam National University Hospital | 42, Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 10 | Gwangju Christian Hospital | 37, Yangnim-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju |
| 11 | Old Red Cross Hospital Site | 415, Cheonbyeonu-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 12 | Chosun University | 309, Pilmun-daero, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 13 | Hungry Bridge and Its Vicinity | Uijae-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 14 | Massacre Site Nearby Junam Village | Junam-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 15 | Massacre Site in Gwangmokgan Ramp (between Gwanju and Mokpo) | 538, Songha-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju |
| 16 | Nongseong Plaza Battlefield | 671-2, Nongseong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju |
| 17 | Old Sangmudae Site (Military Base) | 13, Sangmupyeonghwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju |
| 18 | Mudeung Stadium Main Entrance | 9, Seorim-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju |
| 19 | Yangdong Market | 238, Cheonbyeonjwa-ro, Seo-gu, Gwangju |
| 20 | Gwangju Park Plaza | 15, Jungang-ro 107beon-gil, Nam-gu, Gwangju |
| 21 | The place where the first gunshot was occurred on May 18 | 282, Jungang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 22 | Old Gwanju Prison | 437-2, Gakhwa-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju |
| 23 | Old Army Hospital | Hwajeong-ro 179beon-gil, Seo-gu, Gwangju |
| 24 | Old May 18 Graveyard | San 29-2, Sugok-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju |
| 25 | Namdong Catholic Church | 67, Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 26 | Old 505 Security Force | 16, Sangmu-daero 956beon-gil, Seo-gu, Gwangju |
| 27 | Old Deulbul (Wildfire) Night School Site | 28-13, Jukbong-daero 119beon-gil, Seo-gu, Gwangju |
| 28 | Jeonil Building | 245, Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| 29 | Old Residence of Hong Namsun | 153, Jebong-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
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