Celebrating its 130th anniversary.

Back to its history

The French revolution and Renaissance have gifted the world a plethora of art and literature. Liberation from religious blindness paved the way for a broader perspective and in effect: the growth of creativity. The creativity achieved had further helped several new inventions in science. In 1889, the French government organized an international, industrial, and scientific exposition as part of the French revolution’s centennial celebrations. The sole objective of the exhibition was to showcase to the world its inventions and industrial developments. Attracting the common to the scientific and industrial exhibition was a challenge.  The solution was to have a unique construction at the exhibition site.  A total of 108 plans were submitted in reply to Governments invitation for competitive plans. Alexandre Gustave’s plan of iron twiner was approved.

Gustave’s grit

Gustave’s plan met severe opposition from intellectuals, writers and artists. The artisan’s opinionated that the iron twiner would not go well with the traditional European architecture. 1/10th funds were granted due to politics in the then government, that didn’t dampen Gustave’s spirit. He was certain about building the tallest monument in the world. All his wealth and additional loans were spend  solely to complete the tower. Despite all the protests the Eiffel tower was constructed in 2 years 2 months and 5 days! And in Gustave’s words “a construction with elegance as well as solidity and durability.”

The Real Gem: Design and Architecture

The tower almost reaches the sky with a height of 1063 feet. The construction started on Jan 28, 1887 and completed on Mar 31, 1889.

18038 iron pieces interconnected using 2,500,000 rivets.

Large iron pillars made of crisscrossed iron bars built from the corner of a square placed in the ground. The four pillars converge inwards at a point. Semicircle Arch connect the pillars at the four sides. Bridges of 187 feet height interconnect the pillars. The platform supersedes the bridges. Four inclined pillars are placed just above the platform. They are again interconnected using bridges at 906 feet height. The tower finally ends in the shape of a bulb at the top. The bulb-shaped structure has a small platform with a highly secure fence. Antennas for communication at the topmost point. This constitutes the structure of the Eiffel Tower.

At that time and age, water hydraulic elevators was a real wonder in itself and the tower had five! The elevators now work with electricity one among the many, evolutionary changes.

Eiffel tower gets a fresh coat of paint, every 8 years using 60-tonnes of paint. The bottom of the tower is painted dark brown. The shade becomes lighter brown as it goes up. This is to avoid the feeling that the tower penetrates the sky.

What lies within the Tower

Images and videos taken during its construction are ornamented in the tower. It is lauded with restaurants,

champagne bars, and different gift shops. Gustav Eiffel’s old office, converted to a mini-museum, is open to visitors.

The panorama view from the top of the tower is amazing. Sein river, Mausoleum- Napoleon’s tomb, July column- French revolution’s monument, Concord square where King Louis 16 was guillotined, Louvre museum, where original painting of Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa with the ever mysterious smile containing, Champs–Élysées  streets- the final word for shopping and the fashion world, Lido cabaret which presents French champagne along with the seducing dance of beauties, Arch of triumph which is situated where this street ends and endless Parisian views. Many of these have witnessed the world’s twists and turns of world’s history.

Tackling the Height problem

The thought that his tower might be dismantled in 20 years daunted Gustave. He, therefore, set up a science laboratory on the third floor of the tower. Timely experiments on wind, gravity, wireless communication handled it.

No wonder the French lovingly call this 130-year-old tower, La Dame DE Fer: The Iron Lady. Built to last 20 years and here it still standing tall even after 13 decades. In effect, a testimony to Gustav Eiffel’s engineering excellence! It stayed as the tallest man-made structure in the world for 41 years.

Interesting facts

• Latticed wrought iron was used to construct the tower
• Even to this day, the Eiffel tower plays a major role in wireless communication, all thanks to its height.
• Another interesting fact is the wind tunnel, an experiment started by Gustav Eiffel was a source of inspiration for the Wright brothers.
• The arches in the Tower’s ground floor are etched with the names of 72 famous French scientists to honor their contributions.
• It is the enduring symbol not only of Paris and France but the whole of Europe.
• It is most popular paid monument in the world, visited by over 7 million people every year.
• There are more than 30 replicas of the Eiffel Tower around the world today.

Hitler’s visit

The tower had faced many attacks. And temporarily during these periods visitors were prohibited. Hitler visited Paris during Germany’s acquisition of France. He couldn’t stand the symbol of French pride – the Eiffel tower. His jealousy led him to order its destruction. Fortunately, as Hitler’s fall had begun by then, the military didn’t get enough time to execute his orders. The tower thus luckily stands to this day.

Visitors take on the tower

It is interesting to view the expressions on the faces of new visitors. Some of their faces filled with wonders, some with excitement, and yet others have a scared feeling.

You can reach the top of the tower in just 1710 steps! Cool breeze grow stronger as you go higher giving it a spookier effect. However, everyone who reaches the summit have a unique feeling with the mind blowing view of the Paris city.

My visits to the tower

I have visited the Eiffel tower multiple times as I am a tour operator. The first visit was 17 years back. At that time, the ground in the basement of the tower stayed open with restrictions to ascend the tower. Anyone could reach the tower’s basement anytime. Street magicians, cycle stunts, street singers, mobile shops kept the tower constantly active. Now, security restrictions have increased due to terrorist threats. Policemen armed with machinery screen the vicinity day in and day out. The iron fence secures 10 acres around the tower.

At night the towers lights look as though she has literally opened her eyes. Revolving laser bulbs scatter light up to 80 Km in both directions. Sodium vapor bulbs give yellow hue to the whole tower. 20000 flashing small bulbs transform the tower from a dull iron structure to a shining spectacle. It is awe-inspiring. The dazzling Eiffel tower stays as the most beautiful sight among my Paris memories.

No matter how many times I’ve visited it, the affinity and romance towards Eiffel tower don’t reduce. It still mesmerizes me and takes my breath away.

I am welcoming you, to a European journey, Snow Mountain’s Switzerland, Pope’s Vatican, historical Berlin wall, Netherland’s windmills and along with the Eiffel tower which has witnessed numerous romances, the symbol of hope and dreams…

The author is an avid reader and a travel freak, he works in international tourism industry.