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History of the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel

Tower

The Eiffel Tower, a global symbol of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world, has a rich history that spans over a century. Its story begins in the late 19th century, a time when France was seeking to demonstrate its industrial prowess and artistic achievements to the world.
View from the Eiffel Tower
Visit the Eiffel Tower
Visit the Eiffel Tower
View from the Eiffel Tower

Origins and Conception

The idea for the Eiffel Tower was born out of a competition announced by the French government in 1886 to create a centerpiece for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, a world fair held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Among the many ambitious proposals, it was the design by Gustave Eiffel, an engineer renowned for his work on bridges and viaducts, that captured the imagination of the selection committee.

Eiffel’s design was revolutionary for its time—a 300-meter iron lattice tower that would surpass the Washington Monument to become the tallest man-made structure in the world. Despite initial scepticism and vocal opposition from prominent artists and intellectuals who decried the tower as an eyesore, the project was green-lit.

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    Construction

    Construction of the Eiffel Tower began on January 28, 1887. The process was a marvel of modern engineering and logistics. Over 18,000 individual iron parts, fabricated with utmost precision in Eiffel's factory, were brought to the Champ de Mars and assembled like a massive erector set. Each piece was custom-designed and fitted together with 2.5 million rivets.
    The workforce, numbering around 300 at the peak of construction, labored for two years, two months, and five days to complete the structure. Despite the complexities and potential hazards, the project was remarkably free of serious accidents, a testament to Eiffel's emphasis on safety

    Eiffel Tower

    Eiffel Tower History

    The Eiffel Tower, a global symbol of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world, has a rich history that spans over a century. Its story begins in the late 19th century, a time when France was seeking to demonstrate its industrial prowess and artistic achievements to the world.

    Read More
    Visit the Eiffel Tower

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