Atomium
Atomium is one of the notable stops in Brussels, with a route-friendly location for your trip.
Quick facts
- Built
- 1955
- Opened
- 17 April 1958
- Architect
- André and Jean Polak
- Commissioned by
- Georges Moens de Fernig
- Architectural style
- surrealism
- Height
- 102 m
Facts from Wikidata, photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Did you know?
What does the Atomium represent?
The unit cell of an iron crystal, magnified 165 billion times. Built for the 1958 World's Fair as a symbol of scientific progress, it was meant to be dismantled six months later.
Can you visit all the spheres?
No. Only five of the nine are open, for safety reasons; the rest lack support from the connecting tubes and stay closed to the public.
Has it always looked like this?
The original aluminium cladding was fully replaced with stainless steel in the mid-2000s. The removed aluminium triangles were sold to the public in exchange for donations.
Why go?
- Easy to add to your route
- Good photo stop
- Popular local highlight






