How Big is the Eiffel Tower?

The height of the Eiffel Tower is 324 meters (1,063 ft, equal to an 81 story building. The structure was built in 1889. It would hold the title as the highest man-made structure on the planet for 41 years. It is currently the second highest edifice in France, second only to the Millau Viaduct.

Size Comparison

The tower is twice as high as the dome of St. Peter’s church in Italy. It is also twice as high as the Washington Monument and the Giza Pyramids.

Construction and History

The landmark was constructed in memory of the French Revolution. The structure was created by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, after whom it is named. Building began on January 26, 1897.

After more than two years, the structure was finished. The inauguration took place on March 28, 1889. The tower needed 121 construction workers, 5,300 blueprints and 50 engineers.

Part of the building cost was shouldered by the French government and the rest by Gustave’s company. It served as the main attraction in the 1889 International Exposition.

The initial plan was to dismantle the tower after 20 years. But the structure became so popular that this plan was scrapped. Aside from its aesthetic beauty, TV and radio stations started using it for communications. The landmark was also used by the French for dispatching troops during World War I.

Architectural Design

The tower has an open lattice, wrought iron appearance. Its based is composed of four arcs semi-circular in shape. The height of the Eiffel Tower required it to be made from solid material. Pure iron was used.

The material used is puddle iron so it would remain strong. Gustave created the tower so that each part can be replaced if needed. Testament to its strength is that it remained unscathed even after the 1999 windstorms.

The base legs are set 80 meters distant from each other. The 4 base legs are 50 meters over the ground. To maintain its appearance, the tower has been painted several times. However, the color used has always been brown. Over 50 tons of paint is required for the tower.

A Tourist Attraction

It did not take long for tourists to start visiting the structure. Today there are several facilities around the tower to cater to visitors, including restaurants.

The height of the Eiffel Tower and its design has turned it into a global landmark. Since it was constructed, hundreds of millions of people have visited it.