The Atomium is a monument in Brussels, originally built for Expo '58, the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. Designed by André Waterkeyn, it stands 102-metres (335 ft) tall. It has nine steel spheres connected so that the whole forms the shape of a unit cell of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times.
Very interesting monument in Brussels.
Tubes connect the spheres along the 12 edges of the cube and all eight vertices to the centre. They enclose escalators connecting the spheres containing exhibit halls and other public spaces. The top sphere provides a panoramic view of Brussels. Each sphere is 18 metres in diameter. Three spheres are currently (2008) closed to visitors, others can be reached easily by escalators. The vertical vertex contains a lift which was very fast and advanced at the time of building (the speed is 5 m/s).
History
It was designed by engineer Andre Waterkeyn for the International Exhibition of Brussels which was organized in the year 1958. It is a structure that is a mixture of sculpture and architecture and looks like iron crystals and overstated 165 billion times. This is one of the unique monuments which show the scientific and architectural development of humans. This is different from towers, pyramids, belfries etc. This is a example which shows the desire for height by human beings during the time of development. It is attached with a central cubic system where the nine large spares are connected with tubes.
The renovation of Atomium was started in the year 2004 and it was closed until 2006. Renovation was very necessary which replaced the faded aluminum and stainless steel while the old aluminum was sold to the public and the cost of triangular piece of 2 meters was sold for 1000 euros.
Opening times and Entrance charges
It is open daily from 10:00am till 6:00pm while the cash desk gets closed at 5:30pm. The office is open on all the weekdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm and it is closed on public holidays.
Official website:
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