Today marks a momentous occasion as we celebrate the 135th birthday of the iconic Eiffel Tower, inaugurated on 31 March 1889. Designed by the esteemed engineer Gustave Eiffel, this famous tower commonly named ‘the Iron Lady’ is the oldest member of the World Federation of Great Towers!
Gustave Eiffel, renowned for his mastery of metal frameworks, brought his expertise to fruition in the creation of this landmark, which was unveiled to the world during the Paris World Fair of 1889. The tower was constructed in a mere 22 months, an exceptional achievement, and despite the challenges of the times and the dizzying heights that workers had to navigate, the construction process remarkably resulted in zero casualties! In 1889, the tower was 986 feet tall, making it the world’s tallest. It remained the tallest for forty years, until the completion of the Chrysler Building, which was later surpassed by the Empire State Building, another member of the World Federation of Great Towers!
Prior to the Tower’s construction, skeptics criticized Eiffel’s design as unattractive and argued that building it would be too expensive. However, Eiffel was confident in his vision. His team efficiently assembled the 18,000 iron pieces in just 21 months, finishing the project under budget and in time for the fair’s opening. Crafted from a unique type of iron known as ‘Puddle Iron’, sourced from the Pompey Forges in France, the Eiffel Tower stands as a resilient structure, capable of withstanding various weather conditions. However, its visitor capacity is limited to 5,000 individuals at any given time due to its tapered design. This capacity is divided among its various levels: the largest, at the base, can accommodate up to 3,000 people, the narrower second level can hold around 1,600, and the smallest top level has space for just 400 visitors.
With a weight of 10,100 tons, the Eiffel Tower requires consistent maintenance to uphold its magnificence. Every seven years, a new layer of protective paint is administered, safeguarding the structure against weathering. Throughout its existence, the tower has seen changes in color, and this year, it will receive a makeover featuring a golden paint scheme, aligning with the 2024 Paris Olympics. This repainting project marks one of the most significant transformations for the tower yet. And to celebrate and honor the return of the Olympics to France, each Olympic and Paralympic medal will include a piece of the Eiffel Tower!
The tower is currently featuring an exhibition called “A Larger-Than-Life Arena: 135 years of sporting feats at the Eiffel Tower”, honoring the 135 years of sporting exploits that have marked the history of the monument. Located on the first-floor terrace, this free exhibition can still be viewed until the beginning of April.
You can visit the Eiffel Tower 9:00 am – midnight from June to September and from 9:30 am to 11:00 pm the rest of the year. Get your tickets here.