Atomium in Brussels

The Atomium (from ‘atom’ and ‘aluminium’) is a monument in Brussels, Belgium, built for the 1958 World’s Fair and representing the conventional lattice of an iron crystal (face-centred cubic structure) magnified 165 billion times. It is situated in Laeken on the Heysel plateau, where the exhibition took place. Designed to last only six months, the Atomium was not intended to survive the 1958 World’s Fair. However, its popularity and success made it a major element of Brussels’ landscape. The city therefore postponed its demolition year after year until the authorities decided to preserve it. Despite carrying out little maintenance work for the next thirty years, the city continued to use the building as a backdrop for major events and competitions. In 1960, the 47th Tour de France passed in front of the Atomium during its opening stages. From 1960 to 1962, organisers also held the Brussels Motor Grand Prix nearby. Description Engineer André Waterkeyn designed the Atomium, and architects André and Jean Polak built it for the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels. Like the Manneken-Pis and the Grand-Place, it has become a symbol of the Belgian capital. Symbolically, the Atomium embodies the boldness of an era that sought to confront the destiny of humanity with scientific discoveries. It is a structure halfway between sculpture and architecture, rising to a height of 102 metres, with a mass in 1958 of 2,400 tonnes (2,500 tonnes in 2006). It consists of a steel framework and three bipod pillars supporting nine spheres, each 18 metres in diameter and weighing approximately 250 tonnes (one at each of the eight vertices and one at the centre), connected to one another by 20 tubes, each 3.3 metres in diameter and were originally clad in aluminium. The central tube contains the fastest lift of its time (5 m/s), installed by Schlieren. The escalators installed in the sloping tubes are among the longest in Europe. The longest is 35 metres long. Of the nine spheres, six are open to the public, each comprising two main floors and a lower level reserved for service purposes. Opening hours and prices The Atomium is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. Tickets are available at the cash desk or online. Adults (18-64): €17 Senior (+65): €15 Student and child (-17): €9 Person with reduced mobility: free How to get to? The nearest metro stop is Heysel/Heizel (line 6). Heizel is also the terminus for trams 7 and 62. See also France travel guide Spain travel guide Catalonia travel guide Pyrenees travel guideThe post Atomium in Brussels first appeared on All PYRENEES.