Hiroshima

Our first destination on the week of travel was Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a complex that serves to educate the public on one of the most devastating events in human history, the detonation of the last wartime atomic bomb. Constructed along an axis, the park is comprised of the Museum and the Atomic Bomb Dome, each standing at opposite ends of the site. The Grand Plaza between these elements acts as an extension that links the wartime relic with its modern counterpart. This connection is made all the more clear by the long fountain containing the cenotaph and peace memorial, both standing in perfect alignment. One is therefore able to view the dome directly through these elements, reiterating its importance as a marker of devastation.

The Dome stands preserved in its ruined state, virtually undisturbed since the bombing in 1945. Because the explosion occurred almost directly above the building, the floors were blown completely out while many of the walls remain standing. Standing in stark contrast its surroundings, the Atomic Bomb Dome is a scar that constantly reminds its visitors of the devastation that leveled the city.

The raised concrete volume at the opposite end of the site takes this example even further. Though it is a beautiful gesture from the exterior, the articles contained within leave the visitor with a heavy burden. Through a collection of relics, photographs, and anecdotes, one is provided a full synopsis of the aftermath pertaining to the event. In spite of this, the people of Hiroshima regard the exhibit as an example from which much can be gained. As a museum of peace, it forces one to confront the effects of nuclear war, thereby establishing the imperative that humanity take strides away from this endeavor.