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The most recognizable landmark is The Eiffel Towerlocated in the center of Paris. She has become a symbol of this city. The chief designer who worked on the creation of this tower was Gustave Eiffel, after whom it received its name. This unique building was built in 1889. Now it is one of the most visited attractions. She has her own rich history. We have collected 10 most interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower that are useful to know.
10 Scale copies
There are many miniature copies of this tower scattered around the world. There are more than 30 structures built according to the drawings of the famous design. So, in the southern part of Las Vegas, near the Paris Hotel, you can see an exact copy of the Eiffel Tower, created on a scale of 1: 2. There is a restaurant, and an elevator, and an observation deck, i.e. This building is a copy of the original. As planned, the height of this tower was to be the same as in Paris. But due to the location near the airport, it had to be reduced to 165 m, while the original had 324 m.
One of the most successful copies of the Eiffel Tower located in the Chinese city of Shenzhen. There is a famous park “Window of the World”, whose name translates as “Window to the World”. This is a theme park that houses 130 replicas of the world’s most famous landmarks. The length of this tower is 108 m, i.e. it is made on a scale of 1:3.
9. Color spectrum
The color of the tower was constantly changing. Sometimes it turned red-brown, later yellow. But in 1968, its own shade, similar to bronze, was approved. It is patented and is called “Eiffel Brown”. The tower has several shades. Its pattern in the upper part is denser. According to the laws of optics, if everything is covered with one color, then at the top it will become darker. Therefore, the shade is selected so that it looks uniform.
8. Criticism of Gustave Eiffel
Now thousands of people are eager to get to Paris to admire its main attraction. But once this iron tower seemed cumbersome and ridiculous to the French. Bohemia said that The Eiffel Tower spoils the true beauty of Paris. Victor Hugo, Paul Verlaine, Alexandre Dumas (son) and others demanded that she be removed. They were supported by Guy de Maupassant. But, interestingly, this writer dined at her restaurant every day.
Allegedly because from there it is not striking. However, they decided to leave the tower, because. it attracted tourists from all over the world. By the end of 1889, it almost paid off, and after a couple of years it began to generate income.
7. Initial Height
Initially tower height was 301 m. At the time of the official opening of the attraction, it was the tallest building in the world. In 2010, a new television antenna was installed on it, due to which the tower became taller. Now its height is 324 m.
6. The elevator was deliberately damaged
During the war, the Germans captured Paris. In 1940, Hitler went to the Eiffel Tower but was unable to climb it. The director of the tower, before the Germans arrived in their city, damaged some of the mechanisms in the elevator. Hitler, as they wrote at the time, was able to conquer Paris, but failed to conquer the Eiffel Tower. As soon as Paris was liberated, the elevator immediately started working.
5. How can you climb to the top
At the Eiffel Tower 3 level. On the first one there is one of the restaurants, and in the 2nd and 3rd tiers there are special viewing platforms. They can be reached by lift or on foot. You will have to pay a few euros for entry. Tourists are advised to choose the 2nd tier of the tower for inspection, because. From there the city is viewed better, all the details are visible. There is a metal mesh with holes through which you can take great pictures.
The third floor is too high. In addition, it is fenced with a plastic wall. Photos taken through it are not as good quality.
4. Secret apartment at the top
On the top floors of the tower there is an apartment that belonged to Gustave Eiffel. It was the same as hundreds of XNUMXth-century Parisian dwellings, decorated with wallpaper and carpets. There was also a small bedroom. It was said that wealthy townspeople offered huge sums for the opportunity to spend the night in it, but the owner was adamant and did not let anyone into it. However, parties were held there, which brought together the most influential people of the time. But they were very cultural, although they ended in the morning.
Guests were entertained by music, because. There was also a piano in the rooms. Eiffel was visited by Thomas Edison himself, with whom they drank cognac and smoked cigars.
3. Suicide
The Eiffel Tower attracts suicides. Throughout the history of its existence here more than 370 people committed suicide. Because of this, fences were built around the perimeter of the observation decks. The first to die here was a man who was only 23 years old. Later, this tower became one of the popular places to settle accounts with life, not only in France, but throughout Europe.
According to legend, one of the suicides was a young woman who fell onto the roof of a car. She not only was able to recover from her injuries, but also married the owner of this car.
2. Painting
The tower is painted every 7 years. This is also done in order to protect it from corrosion. The painting process is quite complicated. First, paint is removed from its surface using high pressure steam. If worn structural elements are striking, they are removed and replaced with new ones. Then the entire tower is covered with paint, which is applied in 2 layers. It goes to her about 57 tons of paint. All work is done with ordinary brushes, manually.
1. History of construction
The author of the idea was Gustave Eiffel, or rather the employees of his bureau, Maurice Keschelin and Emile Nouguier. About 5 thousand drawings of this structure were made. It was originally assumed that the tower will last only 20 years, after which it will be dismantled.
It was supposed to be the entrance arch to the territory of the World Exhibition. But tourists loved this attraction so much that they decided to leave it. The construction of the tower progressed quite quickly, because. I had detailed drawings handy. It took about 26 months for everything. 300 workers took part in the construction.
In the 80s, the tower was reconstructed, some of the metal structures in it were replaced with stronger and lighter ones. In 1900, electric lamps were installed on it. Now, after repeated lighting upgrades, in the evening the Eiffel Tower is striking in its beauty. The flow of tourists to it does not cut, and is about 7 million per year.