One of the most curious buildings in Brussels is, without a doubt, the Atomium. This is a large metal structure, which resembles an iron crystal. In addition, this is one of the icons of the Belgian capital, so if you are passing through the city, do not hesitate to come and meet it.
The 20th century was especially important for Belgium, as it went through a time of great prosperity, especially during the Belle Époque years, when this small nation had significant economic growth and great social dynamism.
However, this period would have a terrible end, since in 1914, Belgium was involved, like other European countries, in the catastrophe that was the First World War. Then came World War II, when Belgium was still trying to fully recover from the first.
Then came the postwar period and decolonization, so Belgium lost all its colonies on the African continent. Despite this, this nation has never given up, and by the middle of the 20th century, the Belgians were ready to once again have a great country.
This moment of advance and growth was marked by the celebration of the General Exhibition in Brussels, the first major world exhibition after World War II. This, like the Universal Expositions that had been carried out previously, served to show scientific achievements in various fields and put humanity as the main protagonist.
Thanks to this fantastic exhibition, Belgium created what would become one of its most recognizable buildings, the Atomium.
The name of this construction comes from Latin, and it means atom. The name makes a lot of sense, since this monument is shaped like an iron crystal. Its construction was in charge of the famous Belgian architect, André Waterkeyn.
Assembling this huge piece of architecture was not easy at all, because the structure was unstable, and it took three towers to support its heavy spheres, which are connected by a series of tunnels, which also serve as a path between one sphere and another.
Despite its complexity, the construction of the Atomium was rapid, and it was ready to be presented at the 1958 General Exhibition. At first, it was thought that it would be only a temporary attraction and that it would later be dismantled.
Fortunately, the Atomium gained a lot of popularity, so it went from being a temporary structure to a permanent one. Today, it is one of the most visited tourist spots in all of Brussels.
The Atomium is located in Laeken, just outside of Brussels. If you are going to visit it, you will be able to see its impressive structure up close, it is even going up one of its elevators to its main sphere, from where you can see one of the most beautiful views of Brussels and, especially, of the Laeken neighborhood.
In addition, you can enjoy its restaurant, ideal if you are looking for a place to sit down and rest, relax and eat something delicious. Similarly, in the upper sphere, cultural events are usually held and there is a small museum, where the history of the 1958 General Exhibition, the Atomium and its entire construction process is told.
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