ATOMIUM

Description

Essentials about the Atomium in brief

Together with Grand Place, the Atomium is Brussels’ landmark and undoubtedly one of the most unusual sights in the world. The 102-meter-high structure made of spheres and connecting tubes represents an iron molecule magnified 165 billion times. The strange landmark was built on the occasion of the world exhibition in Brussels in 1958. The Atomium can be admired not only from the outside. Inside the spheres are rooms used, among other things, for exhibitions. And in the uppermost sphere there is a restaurant and a viewing platform from which visitors can enjoy a great view over Brussels, the former Expo site and the Mini-Europe model park.

The architecture of the Atomium

The Atomium represents the unit cell of an iron crystal structure, consisting of nine iron atoms magnified 165 billion times. Designed by engineer André Waterkeyn and built by architects André and Jean Polak, the structure was intended to serve as a symbol of the atomic age and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Originally, the structure was to be 134 meters high. However, for reasons of air safety, the height was limited to 102 meters. The Atomium weighs in at an impressive 2,400 tons. During a renovation in the early 2000s, the Atomium’s old aluminum shell was replaced with a new stainless steel outer skin (which also fits more with its representation of an iron structure). Also, since the renovation, the Atomium is illuminated at night by LED lights.

The spheres of the structure have a diameter of 18 meters. They are connected by 23-meter-long tubes with a diameter of 3.3 meters. Of the total new spheres, six are open to the public (the three lower corner spheres and three of the tower spheres). Stairs or escalators lead through the sloping connecting tubes to the other spheres. In the middle tube there is also an elevator that takes visitors directly to the top sphere.

The tour of the Atomium begins in the top sphere. There, visitors can dine on Belgian cuisine in a restaurant or simply enjoy the magnificent view of the Brussels skyline, the former World’s Fair site and the Mini-Europe model park. From the top sphere, visitors descend via stairs or escalators to the other accessible spheres, where exhibitions on the history of the Atomium or on the topics of science and architecture are on display.