As probably everyone around the world knows, during the morning of Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, two hijacked planes crashed on the Twin Towers, which after some hours collapsed, killing almost 3000 people. In addition to the two main towers, other 5 surrounding buildings were destroyed in the attacks that day.
Today talking about Ground Zero no longer makes sense, since the area has been fully reconstructed and embellished with new skyscrapers of the World Trade Center complex.
10 years after the attacks, on September 11th 2011, a 9/11 Memorial opened to the public. The 9/11 Memorial was the result of an international competition, in which the Arad and Walker architects' project was approved after a long selection process. The name of the project, ‘Reflecting Absence,’ led to the construction of two huge tanks surrounded by a forest composed of 400 trees in the empty space which once was occupied by the two towers.
On the edge of these fountains are engraved on metal plates the names of the victims who lost their lives in the towers and in other places of the attacks on that tragic day as well as the names of those who died in an earlier attack at the World Trade Center in 1993.
Among the various trees there is a very important one: the Survivor Tree.
This tree used to be located in a green area in front of the twin towers and, although it was severely injured during the day of the attack, it managed to miraculously survive. This tree was first transplanted in order to be treated in a greenhouse, but after several years it was moved back to its original location although it still carries the signs and scars from that tragic day. The tree has a special meaning for New Yorkers, which made it a new emblem of the city, a symbol of hope and rebirth.
There is now a museum in the World Trade Center area and it is divided into three parts. Starting from the main building there is a path which one can follow to learn more about the day of the attack and its consequences, both for New York and for the rest of the world. The Museum also includes a permanent exhibition dedicated to all those who lost their lives on that day, including the over 300 rescue workers who died to save other people.
The 9/11 Tribute Museum, opened in 2006, consists of a photo gallery and a guided walking tour along the perimeter of Ground Zero.
The objective of the 9/11 Tribute Museum is to have a truthful account of the day of the attack from those who have experienced those tragic moments: the survivors, the volunteers who provided the first aid and the families of the victims. Some of them are in fact conducting guided tours, inside the gallery, in which they keep objects and photos, and also in the Memorial, providing a unique testimony of the tragic incident. The visit is not confined to memory, but also addresses the theme of reconstruction, emphasizing New York's ability to recover and move forward.
The One World Trade Center is now the tallest skyscraper in New York with its 1776 feet, or 541 meters and its original name, during its construction, was Freedom Tower. It is now possible to go up to the observatory, from the 100th to 102nd floor, to admire the beautiful view Lower Manhattan has to offer.