Atomium, Brussels

The Atomium is an iconic landmark towering over the Brussels skyline with its futuristic and unique design. Constructed for the 1958 Brussels World's Fair (Expo 58), this architectural marvel stands at an impressive height of 102 meters and represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Its gleaming spheres and connecting tubes create a visually striking image that has become synonymous with the city of Brussels.

Designed by engineer André Waterkeyn and architects André and Jean Polak, the Atomium was originally intended to be a temporary exhibit. However, its popularity and significance as a symbol of peace, progress, and innovation led to its preservation and continued existence. The structure consists of nine stainless steel-clad spheres connected so that the whole forms the shape of a unit cell of an iron crystal. Each sphere is 18 meters in diameter.

Visitors can explore the Atomium's interior, which includes exhibition spaces, a public viewpoint, and a restaurant that offers panoramic views of Brussels. The spheres are connected by escalators and elevators, taking guests through the tubes that provide a unique perspective of the structure's construction and the surrounding landscape.

The Atomium is not just a sight to behold from the outside; it is also a hub of cultural and educational activities. It hosts permanent and temporary exhibits dedicated to science, design, and society, reflecting its original purpose as a symbol of scientific advancement.