The National September 11 Memorial
A heartfelt memorial, erected as a tribute to the victims of the 11th September 2001 terrorist attacks, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum breathes an air of tranquillity into the hustle and bustle of Lower Manhattan.
In the immediate aftermath of the 11th September attacks on the World Trade Center, Ground Zero became a place of emotional heartache as survivors, families and senior government authorities struggled with how best to honour the memory of the victims. Today, Ground Zero is a place of quiet reflection with big plans for the future. Part of the site is to be transformed into a plaza for visitors and locals to enjoy together. Another of the seven planned buildings includes the 541-metre tall freedom tower, which is set to become the third tallest building in the world upon its completion.
A lone pear tree, found badly burned under the rubble of the World Trade Center, stands proud near to the Memorial Plaza which first opened on the 10th anniversary of the attacks. Affectionately named the survivor tree, this touching memorial is a symbol which represents a sense of hope and defiance, having survived against the odds and which now thrives here. A total of 2,977 lives were lost during the attacks, a loss which leaves an empty space, not just in hearts of every New Yorker, but a physical space reflected in the two gigantic pools at the main Memorial site. Around the edge of this humbling space are the names of each and every victim carved into the stone.
Set to open in 2014, the 9/11 Memorial Museum beneath the main plaza is designed to resemble one of the twin towers laid on its side. The Museum will include artefacts, testimonies and tributes gathered in the aftermath of the attacks.
Located in Lower Manhattan, the 9/11 and Memorial Museum is easy to get to via public transport, either by bus or by subway. Admission is free to the Memorial site although you will need a visitor pass. Visitors are advised to check the 9/11 Memorial website for additional information.