Peace Memorial


In Japan , in the city ​​of Hiroshima , there is the Peace Memorial (The Peace memorial in Hiroshima), it is also called the Dome of Gambaka (Genbaku). It is devoted to a terrible tragedy, when a nuclear bomb was used against civilians, because today the atomic weapon is considered the most terrible weapon on the planet.

general information

In August 1945, in the early morning, the enemy dropped an atomic bomb on the territory of the settlement. It was code-named "Kid" and weighed about 4,000 kg. The explosion immediately killed more than 140,000 people, and 250,000 died a little later from severe exposure.

During the bombing, the settlement was almost completely destroyed. Four years after the tragedy, Hiroshima was declared a city of peace and began to rebuild. In 1960, the works were completed, but one building was left in its original form, as a memory of terrible events. It was the Exhibition Center of the Chamber of Commerce (Hiroshima Prefecture Industrial Promotion Hall), located 160 m from the epicenter of the explosion on the banks of the river Ota.

Description of the memorial

This structure of the inhabitants of Hiroshima is also called the dome of Gembaka, which translates as "the dome of an atomic explosion." The building was built in the European style by the Czech architect Jan Lettzel in 1915. It had 5 floors, a total area of ​​1023 square meters. m and reached 25 m in height. The facade was faced with cement plaster and stone.

There were exhibitions of industrial enterprises and art schools. The institution often hosted cultural events and fairs. During the war in this center were various institutions:

On the day of the bombing, people worked in the building, all of them died. The structure itself was badly damaged, but it did not collapse. True, only the skeleton of the dome and the bearing walls were preserved. Ceilings, floors and partitions collapsed, and the internal premises were burnt. This building was decided to be preserved as a monument to tragic events.

In 1967, the Peace Memorial in Hiroshima was restored, as over time it became dangerous for visits. Since that time, the monument is regularly inspected and, if necessary, restored or strengthened.

This is one of the most visited places in Japan. In 1996, the monument was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as an important monument in history, conveying the terrible consequences of an atomic attack on civilians.

What is the famous Peace Memorial in Hiroshima?

Currently, the monument serves as a warning to all generations, so that they do not use nuclear weapons. The monument represents a symbol of the terrible destructive force created by people's hands. The Peace Memorial in Hiroshima in Japan does not come to enjoy and admire its splendor. People come here to remember all those who died from radiation.

Today there is a museum here, consisting of two parts:

Today, the Memorial Dome has the same appearance as on the day of the explosion. Near it there is a stone, where there are always bottles of water. This is done in memory of those who could survive during the attack, but died of thirst during a fire.

The Peace Monument in Hiroshima is located not far from the Memorial Park of the same name. On its territory is a ritual bell, monuments, a museum and a collective tombstone for the dead (cenotaph).

How to get there?

From the city center to the memorial can be reached by metro (Hakushima station) or by trams Nos. 2 and 6, the stop is called Genbaku-Domu mae. The journey takes up to 20 minutes.