Hiroshima Peace Memorial
Skeletal ruins of the former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, preserved as a memorial.
via Wikipedia: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park · see source
The A-Bomb Dome is the skeletal ruin of the former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, a structure originally designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel. Completed in April 1915, it was first named the Hiroshima Prefectural Commercial Exhibition and opened to the public that August. Its name changed over time, becoming the Hiroshima Prefectural Products Exhibition Hall in 1921 and the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall in 1933. Located in a large business district near the Aioi Bridge, the building was primarily used for art and educational exhibitions. At 8:15 a.m. on 6 August 1945, the first atomic bomb used in war was dropped on Hiroshima, with a force equivalent to 15,000 tons of TNT. The bomb’s aimpoint was the easily recognizable Aioi Bridge, but it missed by 240 meters, exploding directly over Shima Hospital, very near the hall. The blast’s center was 150 meters horizontally and 600 meters vertically from the building; everyone inside was instantly killed. Because the explosion was almost directly overhead, the building’s vertical columns resisted the nearly vertical downward force, and its earthquake-resistant design helped it keep its shape, with parts of the concrete and brick outer walls remaining intact. Soon called the Genbaku (“A-Bomb”) Dome due to its exposed metal dome framework, it was the only structure left standing near the hypocenter. Scheduled for demolition, most of the building remained intact, delaying plans. Controversy arose between those wanting it torn down and those seeking preservation as a memorial and symbol of peace. Ultimately, its skeletal remains were preserved as Hiroshima was reconstructed. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was established around the Dome from 1950 to 1964, and in 1966 the city council adopted a resolution for its permanent preservation. The Dome has undergone minimal stabilization work, including a metal frame installed inside for stability, and stands almost exactly as it did after the bombing. It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1996, recognized for surviving the first use of nuclear weapons on a human population and as a symbol of peace.
- location
- Hiroshima, Japan
- original_name
- Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall
- designation
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (1996)
- known_for
- Surviving the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The A-Bomb Dome is the skeletal ruins of the former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. It is the building closest to the hypocenter of the nuclear bomb that remained at least partially standing. Many A-Bomb survivors and Hiroshima citizens were pushing for the A-Bomb Dome to be registered as a World Heritage Site as it was 'a symbol of horror and nuclear weapons and humankind's pledge for peace.' This collective petition from many citizens groups was finally given influence when the Japanese government officially recommended the dome to the World Heritage Site committee in December 1995. A marker was placed on the A-Bomb Dome on April 25, 1997, by Hiroshima City. It reads: 'As a historical witness that conveys the tragedy of suffering the first atomic bomb in human history and as a symbol that vows to faithfully seek the abolition of nuclear weapons and everlasting world peace, Genbaku Dome was added to the World Heritage List in accordance with the "Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention)." December 7, 1996, Hiroshima City.'
Reader's Guide
The A-Bomb Dome, originally the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, was designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel and completed in April 1915. It featured a distinctive dome and was used for art and educational exhibitions. On 6 August 1945, the first atomic bomb used in war was dropped on Hiroshima, with Aioi Bridge as the aimpoint. The bomb missed its target and exploded directly over Shima Hospital, very near the Dome. Because the explosion was almost directly overhead, the building’s vertical columns resisted the nearly vertical downward force, and parts of its concrete and brick outer walls remained intact. Its earthquake-resistant design also contributed to its survival. The structure was the only building left standing near the hypocenter. It soon became known as the Genbaku Dome due to its exposed metal dome framework. Initially scheduled for demolition, preservation efforts prevailed, and it became the centerpiece of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The Dome is permanently kept in its ruined state as a memorial to the over 140,000 people killed and as a reminder of nuclear warfare’s destructive effects. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, based on its survival of the first use of nuclear weapons on a human population and its status as a symbol of peace. The site serves as a venue for antiwar and anti-nuclear protests, and hosts the annual Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony.
Did You Know?
- The A-Bomb Dome is the building closest to the hypocenter of the nuclear bomb that remained at least partially standing.
- It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on December 7, 1996.
- A marker was placed on the A-Bomb Dome on April 25, 1997, by Hiroshima City.
- Many A-Bomb survivors and Hiroshima citizens pushed for the Dome to be registered as a World Heritage Site as 'a symbol of horror and nuclear weapons and humankind's pledge for peace.'
- The Japanese government officially recommended the dome to the World Heritage Site committee in December 1995.
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