17 Interesting facts about Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower,  the most visited place in Paris becomes the iconic architecture of the capital of France.

Eiffel Tower (Pixabay)

Here are some interesting facts about Eiffel tower.

1. The completion of this tower was on March 31, 1889 and on that day this tower was opened to public.

2. To mark the 100th anniversary or centennial of the French Revolution, Paris hosted the 1889 World’s Fair. The tower was actually built for the entrance arch of the 1889 World's fair.

The arch and the entrance of Eiffel Tower (Pixabay) 

3. It was the tallest structure in France until the construction of a military transmitter in the town of Saissac in 1973.

4. It is 324 metres tall (including antennas) and weighs 10,100 tonnes.

5. For 41 years it was the world's highest tower until it was surpassed by the Chrysler Building in New York, which was 1046 feet in height. Just a year later the Empire State Building became the tallest in the world at 1454 feet with the spire. In 1957 an antenna was added so  that the height of the Tower can increase by 67 feet. For that the Eiffel tower becomes 6 feet taller than the Chrysler Building.

6. It is possible to climb to the top, but for this people have to cover 1,665 steps. So, most people prefer lift to climb at this tower.

7. In winter Due to cold weather the tower shrinks by about six inches. 

8. Gustave Eiffel, the engineer and architect behind the tower at first rejected the initial design which was designed by his two employees, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier. Later the two engineers teamed up with French architect, Stephen Sauvestre, on the plans for the tower and entered them into a contest to choose the best one. The final design of Eiffel tower was approved in 1884.

9. Its construction took three hundred steel workers, who completed this tower in two years, two months and five days, from 1887 to 1889. They used more than 18,000 individual metallic parts, 2.5 million rivets, and 40 tons of paint.

10. Around 7 million people every year visit the Eiffel Tower making it the most visited paid-for monument in the world.  

11. The Eiffel Tower has three different sections at three different heights. At the very first level which is 189 feet high includes an observation area, a reception room named after Gustave Eiffel, souvenir shops, an art show, a restaurant (58 Tour Eiffel) and a transparent floor. The second floor, at 379 feet, includes another observation area and Le Jules Verne restaurant. The top level offers amazing panoramic views at 905 feet high and a champagne bar, where people whose luck is in favor to climb on the top of the tower can enjoy the moment with a glass of white or rose champagne.

At night Eiffel Tower (Pixabay)

12. It was originally intended to stand for 20 years before being dismantled in 1909. But at its apex wireless telegraph transmitters were set, one of which was very useful during the First World War, at the Battle of Marnes in 1914. The wireless telegraph transmitter actually helped to jam German radio communications, hindering their advance. So, from then it was allowed to stand over permanently in Champ-de-Mars.

13. The German occupied Paris, the tower's lift cables were cut, and the tower was closed to the public. Nazi soldiers then attempted to attach a swastika to the top, but it was so large that it blew away and had to be replaced with a smaller one. In 1944, as the Allies approached Paris, Hitler ordered Dietrich von Choltitz, the military governor of Paris, to destroy the tower, along with other parts of the city. But the general refused to carry out his order.

Hitler in Paris (Iconic Photo - wordpress.com)

14. After every seven years, this tower is repainted for at least once which requires 60 tonnes of paint.

15. In 1905 a local newspaper organised a stair climbing championship at the tower. A M.Forestier won, taking three minutes and 12 seconds to reach the second level.

16. A hilarious and weird event is that in 2007, a woman married the tower and changed her name to Erika La Tour Eiffel.

17. Pierre Labric, the future mayor of Montmartre cycled down the stairs of the tower in 1923. He won a bet, but was arrested by local police.

Reference :

The Telegraph, mentalFloss.com