Quarry Observatory

The Quarry Observatory was built on the summit of the Changsin-dong quarry, offering a panoramic view of the city and nature. Changsin-dong, located on the Naksan ridge of Hanyangdoseong (Seoul City Wall), once had a quarry. During the Japanese colonial period, buildings such as the Japanese Government-General of Korea, the old Seoul Station, and the Bank of Korea were being constructed, requiring exterior stone materials. Thus, Naksan, composed of high-quality granite and conveniently located for transport, was an ideal source for construction materials. The vertical cliffs and cut land resembling a sliced mountain cross-section remain in Changsin-dong, Naksan, as traces of exploitation from that era. After the Korean War, quarrying ceased, and migrants and war refugees gathered to form a village.

As you ascend the stairs leading up from the village, a long rectangular building appears—this is the Quarry Observatory. Opened in November 2019 at the top of the quarry, the Changsin-Sungin Quarry Observatory offers an unobstructed view of Seoul's skyline. The second floor is an indoor space with a coffee shop (Cafe Nakta). Access is only via elevator, without stairs, and glass windows allow views of the outside scenery. The third floor is an outdoor area where you can enjoy the cool breeze along with the cityscape and nature of central Seoul. Around sunset, the stunning night view unfolding with the sunset makes you want to linger here for a while.