Brussels Remembers 1958 With Space-Age Monument || Jaunted

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Brussels Remembers 1958 With Space-Age Monument

Where: Brussels, Belgium

3/03/2008 at 3:23 PM
Tags: Anniversary Travel, World's Fair Travel, Attractions, Tourist Attractions, Big Things (all tags)

Fifty years ago, Brussels invited the world over for the first World's Fair after the death and destruction of World War II. Expo 2008 will be held later this year in Zaragoza, Spain, but Brussels is celebrating anyway with exhibitions like "Expo '58: Between Utopia and Reality," in conjunction with the renovation of the fair's most durable remnant, the Atomium.

Built in the shape of a crystallized molecule of iron, the Atomium, like the Eiffel Tower, was intended to be a temporary monument but ended up redefining the city where it was constructed. After the jump, another startling view of the Atomium and some more history.

Some 42 million people saw the Atomium when it was unveiled in 1958. Thanks to the renovations, all but three of its glorious sphere are open to the public today. With tickets from 5 to 12 euros, it's an inexpensive way to experience an incredibly cool historical leftover. Seriously, it's the coolest thing we've seen this week!

Related Stories:
· Datebook [NYT]
· Brussels Tourism List of Expo '58 Events [Official Site]
· Big Things coverage [Jaunted]

[Photos: STR; Digitaler Lumpensammler ]

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