Eiffel tower is the global icon of France. Alexandre Gustave Eiffel is the architect of this wonderful monument. It’s the most visited monument in the world. The Eiffel Tower has welcomed 243 million visitors up to December 31, 2008. In 2002 Eiffel received its 200,000,000th guest of all-time. Eiffel Tower has 3 levels and its height is 324 meter. Eiffel’s total weight is 10,100 tons and it has 1665 steps. Eiffel Tower was built between1887 to 1889 (2 years, 2 months and 5 days), as the entrance arch for the celebration of the French revolution.
Eiffel Tower was actually built to stand for 20 years. At the time the tower was built many people were shocked by its daring shape. Eiffel was criticized for the design and accused of trying to create something artistic, or inartistic according to the viewer, without regard to engineering. But the tower proved valuable for communication purposes as military used it during the First battle of the Marne, and therefore it became a victory statue of that battle, and was allowed to remain.
Upon the Nazi occupation of Paris in 1940, the lift cables were cut by the French so that Adolph Hitler would have to climb the steps of the tower. The parts to repair them were impossible to obtain because of the war. In 1940 German soldiers had to climb to the top to hoist the swastika, but the flag was too large, it blew away just a few hours later, and it was replaced by a smaller one. When visiting Paris, Hitler chose to stay on the ground. It was said that Hitler conquered France, but did not conquer the Eiffel Tower.
Since 2004 The Eiffel Tower has hosted an ice skating rink on the first floor during the winter period. The Eiffel Tower lights up every evening from sunset. In 2004 – January 24 the Eiffel Tower Celebrated the Chinese New Year in Red! And the Tower Turns Blue for the 20th Anniversary of Europe Day on 9 May 2006.
