Hiroshima Part Shi ...

Just beyond the Peace Pond and the Children's Peace Monument stands the Atomic Bomb Dome, or A-Bomb Dome. The dome is amazing because the nuclear explosion was almost directly over the building. They hypocenter was less than 500 feet away and it is said to be 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." (Wikipedia, again)

I think I took 100 pictures of the same thing. I have a habit of doing so.

The building was some sort of government building before the bombing.

It wouldn't be a photo without a little peace.

The Dome has been called "a landmark for the whole of humanity"

and "one of Hiroshima's most striking landmarks".

I would agree that it was rather striking. Amazing even.

The Dome was left exactly as was after the bomb dropped.

It hasn't been altered, restored, or preserved in any way.

The A-Bomb Dome is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This has brought about conflict, especially from China.

"China had reservations regarding the confirmation of the Memorial as a World Heritage Site and the delegate of the United States to the World Heritage Committee dissociated himself from the decision.

China cited the possibility that the monument could be used to downplay the fact that the enemies of Japan suffered the greatest losses of life during the war, while the United States claimed that the memorial as such would omit the necessary historical context." (guess who)

The A-Bomb Dome concluded our trip to the Peace Park. Our next stop on our Hiroshima adventure - Miyajima to see The Floating Torii and to do some shopping. I'll post that blog soon enough.

much love

-tara-

xoxo