Guro-gu
Guro-gu (구로구; 九老區) is a district in the city of Seoul.
History
Guro was known as Ingbeollohyeon (仍伐奴縣 – meaning ‘land spreading’) during the Goguryeo Dynasty (37 BC - AD 668) but it changed into Gogyanghyeon (穀壤縣) in the period of the Unified Silla Dynasty (668 - 935), and again changed into Geumju (衿州) and Shiheung (始興) during the Goryeo Dynasty (918 - 1392). Following a complete reorganisation of the district in 1413, it changed to Geumcheonhyeon (衿川縣), later into Siheunghyeon (始興縣) in 1795, and became part of Siheunggun(始興郡), Gyeonggi Province, until 1949. On August 13, 1949, Guro was incorporated in the enlarged administrative district of Seoul and remained in the jurisdiction of Yeongdeungpo until April 1, 1980 when Guro became a new district.
Geography
There are nineteen dong in Guro-gu, which has an area of 20.11 km², covering 3.3% of the total area of Seoul. Among the nineteen dong, Oryu 2-dong is the largest (4.6 km²), while Garibong 2-dong is the smallest (0.14 km²). The district is composed of 7.08 km² (35.2%) which is residential, 0.42 km² (2.1%) commercial, 6.89 km² (34.3%) industrial and 5,72 km² (28.4%) as a green belt. The geography is mostly flat, but there are some hills in the western area of the district 100 m above sea level.
Tourist Attractions
The Abraham Park Kenneth Vine Collection
The Abraham Park Kenneth Vine Collection is a private museum that houses Biblical artefacts. It was founded by Reverend Abraham Park and Dr. Kenneth Vine, an American Biblical archaeologist and has been open for public viewing since 1998. The museum is 5 minutes away by foot from the Oryu-dong Korail train station. It is adjacent to the Pyungkang Cheil Presbyterian Church which was also founded by Reverend Abraham Park.
There are about 2,000 artefacts in the collection. The artefacts include pottery, oil lamps, seals, swords, cosmetic jars and bottles belonging to the eras in the Bible. There is also a mummy on display. Other items of note include a life size remodel of a stone sarcophagus which, according to the bible, was used to contain the bones of Joseph and was subsequently carried by the Israelites during the Exodus and throughout the 40 year wilderness journey before being buried in Shechem (Canaan).
Churches
The Pyungkang Cheil Presbyterian Church is next to the Abraham Park Kenneth Vine Collection museum. It is about 5 minutes away by foot from the Oryu-dong Korail train station.
Up to 17,000 members worship at the same time during the 10.30 am Sunday services in 24 separate sanctuaries. The church buildings are constructed by pastors, evangelists and church workers, who are are all licensed builders.
Fresh spring water from the church's Yeoju Pyungkang Cheil Conference Centre retreat site is trucked to the Oryu-dong main church and is available for a token fee.
