9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero
National September 11 Memorial, from a place of terror to a place of mourning and remembrance. The 9/11 Memorial, also known as Ground Zero, is a memorial that commemorates the approximately 3,000 victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. It is located on the site of the former World Trade Center in southern Manhattan, which became known as Ground Zero after the attacks. On September 12, 2011, the memorial pavilion was officially opened. The 9/11 Memorial is always worth more than just a visit. The memorial consists not only of the pools, but also of the park area, which invites you to linger and think.

I Reflecting Absence

At the sites of the destroyed Twin Towers, like footprints of the Twin Towers, there are two large pools. These have a copper border engraved with the names of the 2,983 people who died in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. This includes the people killed at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the four hijacked planes, and all rescue workers and volunteers who died. The memorial is called Reflecting Absence, which means "Reflecting on what is missing". At the same time, the name is a play on words with the reflecting water surface of the pools. Below the pools is the 9/11 Memorial Museum. You can find out more about the museum here.

I The Sphere

The Sphere is a bronze sculpture by the German sculptor Fritz Koenig. The sculpture was the largest bronze sculpture of modern times. It originally weighed more than two tons, was 7.60 m high and had a diameter of 4.60 m. It rotated once on its own axis within 24 hours. The Sphere was originally called “Große Kugelkaryatid”, but the name did not catch on with the New Yorkers. They called the spherical sculpture "Koenig Sphere" or just "The Sphere". The Sphere crowned the Plaza Fountain in the center of the old WTC complex and was a popular meeting place for New Yorkers. After the terrorist attack of September 11, the sphere was massively damaged. It was recovered from the rubble and stood in Battery Park just 100 m from the new World Trade Center from 2002 to 2017. Since September 06, 2017, The Sphere has been in Liberty Park at the World Trade Center, close to its original location.

I How much does the National 9/11 Memorial cost for admission?

The 9/11 Memorial is free, open 24/7 and you can go whenever you want. I recommend a day visit and a night visit. At night the pools are illuminated and the reflection of the lights in the water is just beautiful. For those who want to have some information, I recommend a guided tour.

I Survivor Tree

A Callery pear tree became known as the "Survivor Tree" after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack at the World Trade Center. On September 11, 2001, the only tree at Ground Zero was badly damaged, with broken roots and burned and broken branches, it was discovered on October 1, 2001. The tree was recovered from the rubble and placed in the care of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. After its recovery and rehabilitation, the tree was returned to the memorial in 2010. New, smooth branches extended from the stumps, forming a visible demarcation between the tree's past and present. Today the tree stands as a living reminder of resilience, survival and rebirth. You can easily recognize the tree at the 9/11 Memorial. It's the only pear tree among all the oak trees that stand at ground zero.

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