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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 1945
Image:Hiroshima-pref-prom-hall-04.jpg|Hiroshima Peace Memorial, viewed from the Peace park
Image:A-bomb dome closeup.jpg|Close up to the dome
Image:HiroshimaGembakuDome6747.jpg|Dome with plaque
Image:Old and New.jpg|Peace Dome, now and then

See also

*Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

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 Menorial Park

Category:World Heritage Sites in Japan
Category:Monuments and memorials in Japan
Category:Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki