The Atomium

The Atomium is a popular tourist destination across the world. This one-of-a-kind architectural sculpture, built for the 1958 World Fair in Brussels, quickly became Europe's most popular monument. The Atomium was designed by engineer André Waterkeyn for the 1958 World Fair in Brussels. Its initial structure is an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Today, the Atomium's five circles are available to the public. The primary sphere has a permanent display that explains the origins of the Atomium and the 1958 World Fair. Temporary displays are accepted in another sphere. Finally, the tallest sphere houses a café with a fantastic view over Brussels.

The Atomium is one of Belgium's highest structures, at 102 meters tall. Its nine 18-meter-diameter stainless steel-clad spheres are linked in the configuration of a unit cell, which might represent an iron crystal multiplied 165 billion times. Steel tubes that link the spheres encompass stairs, escalators, and an elevator (in the central, vertical tube) that provide access to the six visitable spheres, which house exhibit halls and other public areas. The top sphere houses a restaurant with a 360-degree panorama of Brussels. With over 600,000 visitors every year, the Atomium is today the most popular tourist attraction in Europe's capital, an art center, and a worldwide emblem of Brussels and Belgium. It is a cultural location as well as a heritage site. Over half of the facility is dedicated to exhibits with Belgian and digital arts topics.

Location: Brussels, Belgium