Atomium

The Atomium is a building in Brussels, which was built for " Expo '58 ". The Expo '58 was the first World's Fair after World War II. The engineer André Waterkeyn had designed the Atomium as a symbol of the atomic age and the peaceful use of nuclear energy; it was built under the direction of the architects André and Jean Polak.

Under the Atomium was as a demonstration of a nuclear reactor, which stands today as AGN -211 -P in the University of Basel.

Description

The building, initially covered with an aluminum skin, is with the help of nine atoms, the body-centered cubic unit cell of an iron crystal structure 165 billion times magnification dar. It is 102 meters high and consists of nine spheres diameter of each 18-meter, six of which are accessible. The balls connect 23 -meter-long tubes with a diameter of 3.3 meters. Through some of them escalators that count up to 35 m length of the longest in Europe lead. In total there are between the balls 20 connecting corridors. In the central tube of about 2,400 tons of heavy construction, there is an elevator that takes visitors up to 23 seconds to the top sphere of the Atomium. In 1958 was the original elevation of the fastest in the world at a speed of 5 m / s In the top ball is a restaurant as well as around windows with panoramic views. The visible buildings are also explained on the tiltable monitors.

Tickets will be sold in an annexe to the Atomium. In the Atomium itself is down at the entrance and exit area, a gift shop.

The Atomium was renovated in March 2004, amongst the aluminum panels were replaced with stainless steel plates. Since 18 February 2006, it has re-opened to the public. On this occasion, Belgium also has a 2 - euro commemorative coin issued on 10 April 2006.

Replicas of the Atomium in 1:25 scale is in Mini-Europe in Brussels and in the mini park in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee.

Gallery

Atomium during the 1958 World's Fair

1958 World's Fair in Brussels, view from Atomium