Eiffel Tower Facts - Learning About the Eiffel Tower History

The Eiffel Tower was built as an engineering test for the 1889 Paris Universal Exposition. Gustave Eiffel, who built the renowned iron structure at the London World's Fair in 1878, designed the tower. A famous landmark in the world is the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. 

The tower, also referred to as the Tour Eiffel in French, 984 feet (300 metres) is the height of the three-story tower. The first and second platforms are reached by stairs and elevators with glass walls. Other elevators connect the third platform near the top of the building to the second level. The tower also has restaurants, a museum, and a gift shop in addition to viewing areas.

History of the Eiffel Tower

A significant competition was introduced in the Journal Officiel during the 1889 Exposition Universelle, which coincided with the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. The first digging began on January 26th, 1887. The tower was completed in a record amount of time—2 years, 2 months, and 5 days—on March 31st, 1889, and was recognised as a true technical achievement. Up until the topping off of the Chrysler Building in New York City in 1929, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world.

How was the Eiffel Tower Built?

The Eiffel Tower is supported by four lattice-girder piers that join to create a single, enormous vertical tower and taper inward. The piers are joined to one another as they curve inward by networks of girders at two levels, providing viewing platforms for tourists. The actual tower is 300 metres (984 feet) tall. It stands 324 metres tall overall, with a base that is 5 metres (17 feet) high. The tower is topped with a television antenna (1,063 feet).

The Eiffel Tower

Where is the Eiffel Tower Located?

Paris is known for its architecture and gorgeous monuments. But nothing can top the craziness people all over the world have for the Eiffel Tower. Eiffel Tower is popularly known as La Tour d’Eiffel. It comes as one of the prominent landmarks of the world. It is situated in the centre of the city and is located on the banks of the River Seine.

The Eiffel Tower was built to celebrate 100 years of the end of the French Revolution. The tower had practically put Paris on the international map. People now consider the city the world leader in architecture. It is considered a masterpiece of design and modern architecture.

Features of the Eiffel Tower

Some of the Features of the world-famous tower are as follows

• It is the tallest structure in France and if you choose to take the stairs, there are about 1665 steps that you will have to climb to reach the top. But, tourists are only allowed to take the stairs to the second floor, and after that, they have to use the elevator.

• Once you reach the top, you can see a 360-degree view of Paris. 

360-degree view from The Eiffel Tower

• The night view of the Eiffel Tower is extraordinary. One can also have lunch or dinner at the top of the tower. There are quite a few restaurants that serve local cuisines. You can enjoy the food and drinks while enjoying the astounding view.

The Night View

• Not only for tourists but movie directors also The Eiffel Tower has always been an attraction. It has been showcased in hundreds of movies- Hollywood and Bollywood as well.  

Eiffel Tower in Movies

• This incredible structure stands about 1,063 feet tall or 324 metres.

• The time taken for the completion of the construction of the Eiffel Tower was 2 years, 1 month, and 15 days.

• The Eiffel Tower is also known as the “Iron Lady” or as the French call it “La Dame de Fer” as it is built on iron and weighs over and above 7000 tonnes. 

Facts About the Eiffel Tower

• The Eiffel Tower is  known as "The Iron Lady."

• Cities around the world have replicas of the Eiffel Tower.

• Today, it receives nearly 7 million visitors a year as the face of France in the world and the centrepiece of Paris.

• The Eiffel Tower was not created by Gustave Eiffel.

• Hitler had once ordered the destruction of the tower.

Interesting Facts About the Eiffel Tower 

Here are some Eiffel Tower interesting facts for you to know and note.

• Every seven years, the tower has its paint updated.

• About 10,000,000 kilogrammes, or 22 million pounds, is the weight of the Eiffel Tower.

• The Eiffel Tower is painted with 50,000 kilograms (110 tonnes) of paint.

• 2,500,000 rivets were used during the constructing of the tower..

Fun Facts About the Eiffel Tower

• The Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower are related in some ways.

• At the top, there is a hidden apartment in the Eiffel Tower.

• After 20 years, the Eiffel Tower was supposed to be demolished.

• There’s a post office in the Eiffel Tower.

Solved Questions

1. In which year was the Eiffel Tower built?

Ans: The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889.

2. Who created the tower?

Ans: Two senior engineers at Gustave Eiffel's company, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, created the Eiffel Tower.

3. How much time was taken to build the tower?

Ans: The tower was completed in a record amount of time—2 years, 2 months, and 5 days.

Learning by Doing

Write true or false for the following.

1. Hitler ordered the destruction of the Eiffel Tower.__________

2. Eiffel Tower is known as the Iron Lady.___________

Summary

The Eiffel Tower, at the time of its construction, was the tallest tower in the world, and it has since been imitated elsewhere. Though dwarfed in height by the tall towers of today, it is still distinctive. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, it has stood across centuries and still attracts several millions of visitors every year. We have studied quite a few interesting facts about the Eiffel Tower in this article. We hope to have helped you learn something new about the Eiffel Tower today!