On 1 September 2004 the School Number One (SNO) in Beslan was seized by 32 Chechen terrorists who took hostage about 1200 people. The occupation ended on September 3 with a blitz of special forces that killed 386 people, including at least 186 children.
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The memorial have the shape of an elliptical mourning ring and surrounds the remains of the gym. The ellipse consists of 106 concrete columns that surrounds a perforated copper facade.
In the perforated metal facade a floral motif is recognizable: it is a flower (helleborus orientalis) that grows in the Caucasus and is a symbol of innocence and chastity. In a few places, there are high openings in the facade that serve as inputs and outputs.
In the centre of the roof there is an elliptical glass skylight that is used for exposure of the room above the gym.
