Atomium

Built for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair (Expo '58), the 103-meter (335-foot) tall Atomium monument represents a unit cell of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times.

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Nine steel spheres 18 meters in diameter connect via tubes with escalators as long as 114.8 ft., among the longest in Europe. Windows in the top sphere provide a panoramic view of Brussels. Other spheres have 1950s exhibitions. Three upper spheres lacking vertical support are not open to the public for safety reasons.

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Planned originally to last only six months, architect Andr? Waterkeyn's design has survived to become a popular tourist attraction that some feel is a Belgian national icon rivalling Manneken Pis. It sits just next to the King Baudouin stadium in Heysel Park.

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Beginning in March 2004, much-needed renovation work has included replacing faded aluminum sheets on the balls with stainless steel. To help pay for renovations, the old aluminum has been sold to the public as souvenirs. A triangular piece about 6 1/2 feet long sold for $1,300. The Atomium will be closed for the public between October 2004 and January 2006.

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1958: 1958 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar....

Brussels: Brussels (Dutch: Brussel, French: Bruxelles, German: Br?ssel) is the capital of Belgium and is considered by many to be the headquarters of the European Union, as two of its four main institutions have their headquarters in the city....

World's Fair: World's Fair is the generic name for various large expositions held since the mid 19th century. The official sanctioning body is the Bureau of International Expositions (usually abbreviated BIE, from the organization's name in French, Bureau International des Expositions)....

Atomium related Images and Photos (experimental)

The Atomium Monument in Brussels Built for Expo '58 the 1958 Brussels World's Fair Belgium