Atomium

Atomium

The Atomium is situated on the Heysel Plateau in the northwest suburbs of Brussels, the capital of Belgium. It is one of the top ten attractions in Brussels and is often referred to as the "Eiffel Tower of Belgium." The Atomium is a monumental metal structure built for the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair, designed by André Waterkeyn. It stands 102 meters tall and weighs 2,200 tons, consisting of nine spheres, each with a diameter of 18 meters, connected by tubes that form a cubic crystal lattice structure representing an enlarged version of an α-iron crystal — magnified 165 billion times.

This is a uniquely shaped, grand, and breathtakingly massive structure. A high-speed elevator provides direct access from the ground to the highest sphere, while escalators are installed inside the other spheres, allowing visitors to move freely between them. It is reported that the Atomium can accommodate up to 250 visitors at a time, and there is also a large restaurant that can seat 140 people for dining.

The uppermost sphere of the Atomium serves as a viewing area for tourists to enjoy scenic views. It stands about 92 meters high, roughly at the same elevation as the second floor viewing platform of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. From here, visitors can gaze out across Brussels through the transparent glass walls and take in the charming surrounding landscape. The other spheres house exhibitions primarily focused on atomic energy, nuclear technology, and related topics, among which the space exploration exhibition is particularly detailed and captivating.

Atomium

Must-visit reason: The world’s largest “atomic ball”

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Belgium[Belgium]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Brussels-Capital Region [Brussels-Capital Region]

City where the attraction is located: Brussels [Brussels]