You may know the Eiffel Tower as one of the most famous manmade monuments in the world, and you’d be absolutely right! Read on to learn about the history of the spectacular Eiffel Tower.
Travelers from around the world flock to Paris, France, to visit the Eiffel Tower, or La Tour Eiffel in French, making it the most visited paid monument in the entire world! In fact, in 2010, the Eiffel Tower welcomed its 250 millionth visitor! Talk about a show stopper!
The Eiffel Tower: A History
The Eiffel Tower was named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the celebrated monument. Construction began in January of 1887 and was completed in only two years. Their plan was to finish the tower in time to be the entrance arch for the World’s Fair in 1889. This fair celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the French Revolution, which took place from 1789-1799.
The Height Competition
Located on the Champs de Mars, the tower is the tallest structure in Paris. It was the tallest manmade structure in the world for 41 years until the Chrysler Building in New York surpassed it. Then the spire atop the tower was added, raising its height to 17 feet taller than the Chrysler Building. It is now 1,063 feet tall! There are two replicas of the Eiffel Tower in the world: a half scale model at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, and a full sized monument of a similar (but not exact) design in Tokyo, Japan.
Construction of The Eiffel Tower
Three Shades of Awesome
Some pictures make the Eiffel Tower look like a dark wrought iron color. But it is, in fact, bronze. Not only that, but the tower is actually painted three different shades to make it appear even taller: darkest on the bottom and lightest on the top.
Visiting the Eiffel Tower
If you visit the Eiffel Tower, you can look down upon Paris from three different levels. You can take a lift up to all three levels, or you can challenge yourself by climbing the stairs all the way up to level two. While visiting during the day lets you see Paris far and wide, night time delivers a little more pizzazz. The city, as well as the tower itself, is completely lit up, making it an unforgettable experience!
The Eiffel Tower at Night
Have Your Say
Have or will you visit the Eiffel Tower is Paris, France? Tell us in our comment section below!
