KLM huis nr. 96

A replica of the house where Hendrick Hamel was born, was built on the very same site as the original. This is now where visitors can get a sense of the life of this historic naval hero from Gorinchem. Hendrick Hamel(1630-1692) was a Dutch Seafarer. In 1653 he was aboard De Sperwer,when it ran aground off the coast of the Korean Island of Jeju. The survivors were forbidden to leave the country because the Korean King did not want others having information about this country. It was not until 13 years later that Hendrick Hamel and seven others managed to escape. During his time in Korea, Hamel had kept a detailed journal that became Europe’s sole source of information about that country for many years. For this reason, he later became a famous person and was even honoured in Korea while being almost forgotten in the Netherlands. The Hamel House is not only a museum but also a place where Dutch and Korean cultures come face to face. Hamel House, Kortendijk 67, 4201 KS, Gorinchem