But she could not have stood: How the Eiffel Tower was almost dismantled for scrap
But she could not have stood: How the Eiffel Tower was almost dismantled for scrap

Video: But she could not have stood: How the Eiffel Tower was almost dismantled for scrap

Video: But she could not have stood: How the Eiffel Tower was almost dismantled for scrap
Video: Uzupis: The world's smallest republic in the middle of Vilnius | DW English - YouTube 2024, November
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The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World's Fair
The Eiffel Tower was built for the 1889 World's Fair

In the period from May 6 to October 31, 1889, a grandiose event took place in Paris, the World Exhibition was timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the taking of the Bastille. The expositions were held in specially built grandiose pavilions, and as a greeting for visitors, they built a Eiffel Tower … After some time, it was supposed to be dismantled in the same way as the other pavilions, but this "iron lady" still stands in Paris.

Gallery Beaux-Arts
Gallery Beaux-Arts

As you know, Bastille Day marked the beginning of the French Revolution, which is why many monarchist countries refused to attend the exhibition. In total, 42 countries took part in this event, demonstrating their achievements in the field of mechanical engineering, agriculture and light industry.

Exterior of the Egyptian pavilion
Exterior of the Egyptian pavilion

Dozens of decorative pavilions and exhibition halls were erected on an area of 1 hectare. Each country tried to arrange the space allocated for it in a national style. There were buildings with images of pharaohs, Mexican idols, Indian crocodiles.

Exhibition of metal structures
Exhibition of metal structures

The most outstanding exhibit is the Eiffel Tower, a symbol of the achievements of French science and technology. Despite the fact that its official opening took place on March 31, 1889, at the beginning of the exhibition its elevators did not work yet. But this did not prevent visitors from climbing the Eiffel Tower 30 thousand times in the first week alone.

French Pavilion
French Pavilion
Illuminated Eiffel Tower 100 years ago
Illuminated Eiffel Tower 100 years ago

Chief designer Gustave Eiffel called his creation simply "300-meter tower". It was planned that in 20 years its structure would be dismantled. Public opinion was divided. Some wrote complaints to the municipality:. Others just went to look at this miracle of engineering.

Entrance to the exhibition
Entrance to the exhibition

In just nine months after its opening, the Eiffel Tower was visited by so many people that the city was able to recover three quarters of the cost of its construction, which is more than 5 million francs.

Caricature of Gustave Eiffel and the 300-meter tower
Caricature of Gustave Eiffel and the 300-meter tower

But time passed, and the flow of tourists wishing to see the 300-meter "iron lady" did not dry up. In addition, they began to use it as a tower for radio broadcasts, and then for military purposes. Today, the Eiffel Tower is considered a symbol not only of Paris, but of the whole of France. And already few people remember that they once wanted to take it apart.

Exhibition of Marble Sculptures by Jules Cantini
Exhibition of Marble Sculptures by Jules Cantini

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