The Atomium - Brussels

 Hi,
Whist we were in Brussels it was only fitting to go and see The Atomium,  We went by Metro to the see the Atomium which I wanted to show Vernon and of course see it again myself.
This was built in Brussels for the world exhibition in 1958,  which was the first exhibition after the second world war.
I was lucky to go in 1958 and saw this which today is an icon
I still have a copy of the original program that my parents brought,  I might add I was only 4/5 years old when I went.
The building consists of nine a unit cell of an iron crystal that correspond to the nine atoms making up .standing 102 meters high weighs 2,400 tonnes, and the spheres are linked by 20 tubes.
We did not go inside as the que was so long,  the lift which takes you to the top sphere was the fastest in world when it was built.
Between 2004 and 2006 the Atomium was restored it is now the most popular monument in the city and has become a world renowned symbol of Brussels.
In 2003 it was listed as the strangest building in Europe by the American news channel CNN.  in the ranking it was beaten by a building in the shape of a banknote in the City of Kaunas and Gaud's famous Casa Mila in Barcelona.
This year it is 60 years old and the picture below show the sign wishing the Atomium a Happy Birthday. 
It was a delight and a pleasure to see this icon again,  so Happy Birthday Atomium.
                       Hugs
                    Margaret