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Features

@39 days until Hiroshima Summit: Memorial Cathedral for World Peace

by Miho Kuwajima, Staff Writer

Memorial Cathedral for World Peace in Hiroshima’s Naka Ward stands out due to its high tower displaying a cross on the roof. Father Hugo Lassalle (1898-1990), a German priest who experienced the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, provided the idea of erecting the cathedral as a place to mourn for A-bomb victims and pray for peace. It was completed in 1954, four years after construction began.

Father Lassalle raised donations to build the cathedral from all around the world, collecting about 100 million yen. Donators included an American businessman who contributed about 50 million yen.

It was designed by Togo Murano (1891-1984), a renowned architect in modern Japan. Four bells sent by the German steel company ring at the cathedral every day, and 65 stained glass windows add a touch of color. In 2006, it was designated as a national important cultural property.

(Originally published on April 10, 2023)

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