The Eiffel Tower

1. History
The Eiffel Tower is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose
company designed and built the tower for the 1889 Exposition
Universelle, to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the French
Revolution. It was initially criticized by some of France's leading
artists and intellectuals for its design, but it has become a global
cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in
the world. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed1 the
Washington Monument to become the tallest man-made structure in
the world, a title it held for 41 years until the Chrysler Building in
New York City was finished in 1930.
Its construction took 2 years, 2 months and 5 days.
Originally, it was intended as a temporary exhibit, so it was almost torn down and scrapped2 in 1909.
However, city officials opted to save it after recognizing its value as a radiotelegraph station.
During World War II, Hitler initially ordered the demolition of the city’s most cherished symbol, but the
command was never carried out. Also during the German occupation of Paris, French resistance fighters
famously cut the Eiffel Tower’s elevator cables so that the Nazis had to climb the stairs.
Since the 1980s, the monument has regularly been renovated, restored and adapted for an ever-
growing public.

2. Tourism:
As France’s symbol in the world, today it welcomes almost 7 million visitors a year (around 75% of
whom are foreigners), making it the most visited monument that you have to pay for in the world.
Over the decades, the Eiffel Tower has seen remarkable achievements, extraordinary light shows, and
prestigious visitors.
Since its opening in 1889 almost 250 million visitors regardless of age or origin have come from all over
the planet to see it.
The tower has three levels for visitors, with restaurants on the first and second levels. The top level's
upper platform is 276 m above the ground – the highest observation deck3 accessible to the public in the
European Union. Tickets can be purchased to ascend by stairs or elevator to the first and second levels.
The climb from ground level to the first level is over 300 steps, as is the climb from the first level to the
second. Although there is a staircase to the top level, it is usually only accessible by lift.

3. Key Figures:
Number of Antennas: 120
Height: 324m
Sparkling: 20,000 Bulbs
Illumination: 336 Lamps
Lifts: 5 from the ground to the 2nd floor
Steps: 1,665 to the top
Weight: 10,100 tons

4. Fun Facts:

- The height of the Eiffel Tower varies by 15 cm due to temperature changes.

- The Eiffel Tower was originally intended for Barcelona, Spain, but the project was rejected.
- The paint on the Eiffel Tower weighs as much as 10 elephants.
- Gustave Eiffel had an apartment for himself at the top of the Eiffel Tower.

1 to surpass sth = etw. übertreffen

2 scrapped = verschrottet
3 observation deck = Aussichtsplattform