Standing 320 meters high and weighing over 10,000 tons, is the most famous landmark in Paris and the symbol of France in the whole world - the Eiffel Tower.
For forty years, the Eiffel Tower held the record for being the tallest building in the world. It is a premier tourist spot getting more than 5 million visitors yearly. The Tower was built in a period of two years from 1887 to 1889 as the "entrance arch for the Exposition Universelle." In March 31, 1889, Eiffel Tower was inaugurated and was opened for public on May 6 of the same year.
A total of 300 workers, 18,038 pieces of puddle iron, and two and a half million rivets were used to complete the construction of the Tower. Nicknamed as the "La dame de fer" which means the iron woman, the Tower was considered as an eyesore for most people at first. It was in fact widely criticized. During that time, newspaper companies would receive letters from the annoyed arts community of Paris. One of the most controversial letters mentioned that the Tower was "like a black blot the odious shadow of the odious column built up of riveted iron plates." Said letter was singed by Alexander Dumas, Charles Gounod, Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, and Jean-Leon Gerome.
However, as time goes by, people came to acknowledge the unique beauty of the Tower. At present, it is considered as "striking piece of structural art." It is indeed the global symbol of France that gave so much pride to the French flag.
For forty years, the Eiffel Tower held the record for being the tallest building in the world. It is a premier tourist spot getting more than 5 million visitors yearly. The Tower was built in a period of two years from 1887 to 1889 as the "entrance arch for the Exposition Universelle." In March 31, 1889, Eiffel Tower was inaugurated and was opened for public on May 6 of the same year.
A total of 300 workers, 18,038 pieces of puddle iron, and two and a half million rivets were used to complete the construction of the Tower. Nicknamed as the "La dame de fer" which means the iron woman, the Tower was considered as an eyesore for most people at first. It was in fact widely criticized. During that time, newspaper companies would receive letters from the annoyed arts community of Paris. One of the most controversial letters mentioned that the Tower was "like a black blot the odious shadow of the odious column built up of riveted iron plates." Said letter was singed by Alexander Dumas, Charles Gounod, Jean-Louis-Ernest Meissonier, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, and Jean-Leon Gerome.
However, as time goes by, people came to acknowledge the unique beauty of the Tower. At present, it is considered as "striking piece of structural art." It is indeed the global symbol of France that gave so much pride to the French flag.
Pollux Parker
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