Tear Drop Memorial
4.8(1.2K)google
4.9(9)yelp
Scenic LookoutOutdoorPhoto SpotCity LandmarkFreeSculptureArt InstallationHistory
Overview
To the Struggle Against World Terrorism (also known as the Tear of Grief and the Tear Drop Memorial) is a 10–story sculpture by Zurab Tsereteli that was given to the United States as an official gift from the Russian government as a memorial to the victims of the September 11 attacks in 2001, and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. It stands at the end of the former Military Ocean Terminal in Bayonne, New Jersey. Ceremonial groundbreaking occurred on September 16, 2005, in a ceremony attended by Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-1.5 hours
Best TimeA profoundly moving year-round international monument. Officially titled 'To the Struggle Against World Terrorism,' scaling the stone paths between 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM on a clear morning is ideal; sharp shafts of morning daylight cut directly through the split-bronze monument tower to strike the massive suspended stainless-steel teardrop formation with brilliant, tear-like reflections.
Getting ThereTucked inside the far eastern industrial shipping tip of the former Military Ocean Terminal at 51 Port Terminal Blvd, Bayonne. Driven travel via road trip is mandatory given its highly isolated maritime harbor layout. Take the NJ Turnpike to Exit 14A, exit onto Route 440 South, and follow prominent signs for Cape Liberty Cruise Port straight to the free paved memorial parking field.
Travel Tips
- Officially the 'To the Struggle Against World Terrorism' monument, hidden on a remote cargo peninsula at the former Bayonne Military Ocean Terminal; follow GPS tracks explicitly to navigate security gates.
- The open memorial plaza locks prompts at 22:00 nightly with strict gate clearing 30 minutes prior; take caution on the arterial approach roads due to heavy industrial container-truck blind spots.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- Situated within a high-security international maritime port buffer zone; operating private drones or UAV flights near the monument or adjacent cruise piers triggers federal homeland security counter-measures.
Reviews
Positive
- This 10-story bronze monument gifted by Russia for 9/11 offers immense visual impact, with the central suspended steel teardrop being deeply soulful.
- Perched on a quiet peninsula tip with victims' names carved into the base, the atmosphere is deeply respectful and calm for historic reflection.
- The location is excellent, providing a unique, unobstructed vantage point looking at the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and New York Harbor.
- Entry and nearby parking are completely free; the park is kept pristine and green, beautifully free of noisy commercial pollution.
Heads up
- The location is remote and hidden at the end of an old military ocean terminal in Bayonne; reaching it without driving is highly difficult.
- The driving route passes through rundown industrial container docks; the lacks adjacent stores or amenities, causing first-timers to feel lost.
- Lacks comprehensive multi-language brochures or on-site staff; beyond the basic inscription, there is no detailed history exhibit.
- Being on an open peninsula jutting into the bay, winds are fierce and freezing in winter, and there are no indoor or sheltered pavilions.