9/11 Memorial is an outdoor public memorial in New York City that honors the 2,977 victims of the September 11 attacks of 2001, as well as the six victims of the World Trade Center bombing in 1993. The memorial consists of two reflecting pools with two 30-foot-high waterfalls cascading into the voids left by the Twin Towers. It is located at the World Trade Center site, in the heart of Lower Manhattan.
Design
The memorial was designed by architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker. The memorial is located on 8 of the 16 acres of the World Trade Center site. It features two large, square reflecting pools, each about an acre in size, set within the footprints of the Twin Towers. The pools are lined with bronze panels engraved with the names of the victims of the attacks. The names are arranged in an order determined by the victims’ relationship to each other and to the events of that day.
The Survivor Tree
The memorial also features the Survivor Tree, a Callery pear tree that was found in the rubble of the World Trade Center after the attacks. The tree was nursed back to health and planted at the memorial site in 2010. It is a symbol of resilience and hope.
Other Features
The memorial also includes a museum, called the 9/11 Memorial Museum, which opened in May 2014. The museum features artifacts from the attacks, including photos, videos, and personal items. The museum also features exhibits about the recovery efforts, the history of the site, and the impact of the attacks on the city and the world.
The Memorial Plaza
The Memorial Plaza is the area around the two reflecting pools. It is designed to be a place of contemplation and reflection. It includes a grove of trees, benches, and pathways, as well as the Survivor Tree. The plaza is open to the public 24 hours a day.
Visiting the Memorial
The 9/11 Memorial is open to the public. Admission is free, but tickets are required for entry. Tickets can be reserved online or in person at the memorial. Visitors are asked to observe a moment of silence when entering the memorial and to be respectful of the victims and their families.
Tribute in Light
The 9/11 Memorial is also home to the Tribute in Light, an art installation that has been held annually since 2002. The installation consists of two beams of light, each composed of 88 searchlights, that are projected into the sky in remembrance of the victims of the attacks.