Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) (Hiroshima) | place with historical importance, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Japan / Hiroshima / Hiroshima
 memorial, place with historical importance, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Hiroshima Peace Memorial, called Gembaku Dome, 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 and dedicated to peace.

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. Currently undergoing stabilization work.
The Hiroshima City Council adopted a resolution in 1966 on the permanent preservation of the Genbaku Dome, officially named the Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)
whc.unesco.org/en/list/775
 Add place (company, shop, etc.) to this building
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Peace_Memorial
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   34°23'43"N   132°27'12"E

Comments

  • Do we know the reasons why it survived the blast? Wind speeds and temperatures must have been very high. Did it have special materials or was it the shape that helped it withstand?