One of the most famous landmarks in the world and a landmark of the city of Paris, the Eiffel Tower, recently celebrated its 125th birthday! It is difficult to imagine a monument that has been photographed more than the most famous tower in the world. Since its opening, the elaborate structure was converted into a symbol of the city of light, making it a destination for all visitors of the city, a place that was impossible to ignore.
For many, the elegant tower, which is slipping effortlessly skywards and is particularly impressive at night, symbolizes love and romance. Indeed, the creator, the engineer Gustave Eiffel, who originally had likened with the pyramids, had predicted from the beginning that it will become a favorite landmark, for the Parisians and the visitors of the city.
He was right. The Eiffel Tower, when completed, was the tallest structure built by man, surpassing the Washington Monument and held this title for four decades. An estimated 30,000 people climbed the stairs of the first days of operation, before installing elevators. During the 20th century tower lived his prime, while the year of the Millennium, another striking feature came on top of the tower, with the installation of 20,000 light bulbs, which illuminate the unique every night. To celebrate the anniversary, we present 10 things you might not know about this tower, and certainly some of them will surprise you.
1. The Eiffel Tower was built in two years, two months and five days, a record time for the end of the 1880s. It was officially completed on March 31, 1889.
2. It was supposed to have 20 years of life. Gustave Eiffel, was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.
3. It was not always brown. In 1889 it was repainted yellow and up to 1954 until 1961 it had a brownish red color.
4. In late 1920s and early 1930s, the Eiffel Tower served as a billboard, having three sides that were covered by letters of Citroën. No other brand has ever used the monument as an advertising tool.
5. Initially the French hated him. In fact, a team of architects and scholars of the time signed a document protesting the construction of the tower, which was called useless and monstrous.
6. Played a key role in the First World War, during the Battle of the Marne in 1914. Specifically, from the top of the tower were sent specific signals, which directed the French troops in the front line.
7. In 1889, the French newspaper Le Figaro created a print shop on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower.
8. Eiffel Tower shrinks. It’s true! Measurements that were made in the winter resulted that it is about four to eight inches shorter.
9. Attracting approximately seven million visitors each year, is the monument that receives the most travelers around the world who have to pay an entrance fee.
10. Every night, every time the tower is covered with gold and shining lights for five whole minutes. The best place to see the show is from the square Trocadéro.
View more here: London | Essential places to visit on your first time there, Secret London.
By Nicole P.
Eiffel Tower photos: lepainmaudit, Jean-Paul, Peter Reading, William Cho, paukrus.
