Hiroshima Peace Memorial
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| Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)* |
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| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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| State Party |  Japan |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | vi |
| Reference | 775 |
| Region† | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1996 (20th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO. |
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Hiroshima Peace Memorial, commonly called the Atomic Bomb Dome or A-Bomb Dome (Japanese: 原爆ドーム Genbaku Dome), in Hiroshima, Japan, is part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
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[edit] History
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.
[edit] Atomic bombing
The August 6, 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.
Nevertheless, China had reservations regarding the confirmation of the Memorial as a World Heritage Site and the delegate of the United States to the World Heritage Committee dissociated himself from the decision. China cited the possibility that the monument could be used to downplay the fact that the enemies of Japan suffered the greatest losses of life during the war, while the United States claimed that the memorial as such would omit the necessary historical context.[1]
[edit] Panorama
[edit] Gallery
 Products Exhibition Hall in its original shape (photo taken sometime in 1921–33) |
 Hall, taken from Motoyasu Bridge around the same time. |
 Citizens of the city pass by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial on their way to a memorial ceremony on August 6, 2004 |
 The dome, photo taken from the southwest side |
 Distant view of the dome; shot is taken from the Aioi bridge |
 Hiroshima Peace Memorial, viewed from the Peace Park |
 Side view of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial |
 Close up of the dome |
 Dome with plaque |
 Peace Dome, then and now |
 A-Bomb Dome in 2007 |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
http://www.richard-seaman.com/Travel/Japan/Hiroshima/AtomicDome/index.html
[edit] External links
- 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 Memorial Park
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial on Google Maps
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