ATOMIUM
Brussels Icon at the Bruparck
It is remarkable that
a monument built to be temporary remains an icon as unique and freshly
modern as when it was built over a half century
ago. Like the Eiffel Tower of Paris, the unmistakable symbol of a city
intended to be temporary, but too precious to be torn down. While Eiffel’s
lattice spider web steel work represented the brute iron engineering
of the industrial age, the Atomium, just outside of Brussels represented
the elegant futuristic age of the atom.
It was built for the 1958 Brussels Universal Exposition at the Heysel
Park to serve as the main pavilion of the world fair. The atom inspired
structure standing 335 feet high consisting of nine spheres interconnected
by tubes housing escalators to various exhibit halls was physically to
represent an iron molecule magnified billions of times in scale, and
symbolically to herald the peaceful use of atomic energy in a new era
of industrial innovation.
The Atomium was explored by over 40 million visitors for the first six
months during the 1958 Expo and after the end of the exposition, so popular,
the people of Brussels rejected its demise. It has stood since as the
surrounding park of the former exposition ground has has grown into a
family entertainment area and still one of the most vistited sites in
Brussels, as much for locals as tourists. The original aluminim or the
Atomium's exterior had faded with sun bleached age until a restoration
in 2006, replacing the old metal with bright, shiny stainless steel brought
the landmark back to luster. Five of the nine spheres have been reopened
with exhibitions featuring the history of the 1958 Exhibition and of
science, progress and the future, but perhaps the main attraction is
the top sphere with its panoramic view of the Brussels cityscape. Below
the Atomium, the Heysel Park, once an exhibition grounds (see Autoworld
Brussels) has been reformed with the Bruparck (Brussels Park) as a family
entertainemnt center.
Mini-Europe
At
the Bruparck next to the gleaming Atomium is the Mini-Europe theme
amusement park, one ofthe most expansive miniature parks in Europe
where the most famous European landmarks are presented in the form
of 350 models.
Travel all across Europe with a few hours stroll and wander like a giant
Gulliver in the land of the Lilliputs among the 1/25 scale versions
of the Leaning
Tower
of
Piza,
the Acropolis,
The
Roman Coloseum, the Corrida of Seville, Berlin Wall, a miniature of the
Atomium, Eiffel Tower (see Eiffel
Tower Paris),
and even an erupting Mount Vesuvius.
Visiting the Atomium
The Heysel
Park (Bruparck) is a subway train ride from the center of Brussels
to the Heysel (Heizel)
Metro Station. The exhibition is open
daily from 10am to 6pm with the last entry ticket sold at 5:30pm. Admission
is €11 for adults, €8 student and seniors, €6 for children
6-11 and children under 6 are free. A combined ticket including the Mini-Europe
Park is available for €22.70 for adults, student and seniors €19.90,
children 6-11 €14,90. There is also a restaurant and special kids
exhibition space. Aside from the Atomium and Mini-Europe, the Bruparck
also has a replica old world village of restaurants and shops and children’s
play area, an aquatic park and massive multiplex movie theater, the Kinepolis,
for full day out for kids or adults. © Bargain
Travel Europe
Find best hotel and travel deals in Brussels on TripAdvisor
Web Info
Atomium
Mini-Europe
These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.
SEE ALSO:
MUSEUM OF CHOCOLATE - BRUSSELS
BRUSSELS JAZZ MARATHON WEEKEND
