It takes more than 24 hours to travel to Latin America, but just a short drive from Seoul to Goyang to experience the continent’s colorful and rich history.

The Latin American Cultural Center has grown to accommodate over 2,500 articles from Mayan and Incan civilizations, in addition to a large selection of earthenware found in Latin countries, especially Mexico.

“I assure you, I have been around the world, this is the one and only amalgamated Latin American complex in the world because of its museum, gallery, sculpture garden, cathedral, mural and memorial hall,” stressed the center’s director Lee Bok-hyung, who is a retired ambassador.

Even though his days of serving Korea’s interests in the Foreign Ministry are over, Lee adamantly believes that he can still serve the nation by providing a platform for exchanges of people and cultures.

Last week, Lee unveiled the center’s final projects: one is a commemorative building where books on Latin American art, history, culture and politics in English, Spanish, Japanese and Korean are housed.

One part of the museum that stands out is a 17th century Latin American baroque-style chapel complete with tableaus, stained glass windows, and all the religious artifacts one would find in a Latin American cathedral.

“The idea is to let visitors wonder around the garden, come into the cathedral and meditate regardless of their religious convictions,” he said.

If that was not impressive enough, Lee has also brought in a 5-meter-tall, 23-meters-wide ceramic mural with Mayan and Aztec motifs that is adorned with 250 Mayan characters, and the finishing touch, a Mayan king’s crown.

Accompanying this impressive piece of ancient Latin American history are two gigantic Aztec calendars and on both sides, pieces found within the caves of Aztec pyramids and stone monuments with Mayan motifs.

Of the pieces he has stored, 150 items date back to the pre-Colombian era while the rest are from colonial, modern, and contemporary times.

More information can be had by visiting www.latina.or.kr or call (031) 962-9291.

By Yoav Cerralbo (yoav@heraldcorp.com)