Hiroshima Peace Memorial
 |
Citizens of the city pass by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial on their way to a memorial ceremony on August 6, 2004 |
Hiroshima Peace Memorial, called
Genbaku Dome (原爆ドーム), the
Atomic Bomb Dome, or the
A-Bomb Dome by the Japanese is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site located in
Hiroshima,
Japan. It was established as such in
1996.
The building was originally designed by
Czech architect Jan Letzel. It was completed in April
1915, and the new building was named the
Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition (HMI). It was formally opened to the public in August that year. In
1921 the name was changed to the
Hiroshima Prefectural Products Exhibition Hall, and again in
1933 to the
Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall.
The
6 August 1945 nuclear explosion was almost directly above the building (the
hypocenter was 150 meters / 490 feet away), and it was the closest structure to withstand the explosion. The building has been preserved in the same state as immediately after the bombing, and now serves as the reminder of nuclear devastation and as a symbol of
hope for world
peace and elimination of all
nuclear weapons.
Image:Hiroshima Dome 1945.gif|Hiroshima Peace Memorial, in 1945Image:Hiroshima-pref-prom-hall-04.jpg|Hiroshima Peace Memorial, viewed from the Peace parkImage:A-bomb dome closeup.jpg|Close up to the domeImage:HiroshimaGembakuDome6747.jpg|Dome with plaqueImage:Old and New.jpg|Peace Dome, now and then*
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park*
Official page*
Trade Promotion Hall*
Official UNESCO page*
Picture of the building before the bombing*
A personal commentary and a film of the Hiroshima Peace Menorial Park
