Plaatsvinden

The Atomium was originally built for the International Exhibition of 1958 held on the outskirts of Brussels.

It is a steel-aluminum model of an iron molecule magnified 165 billion times. However, as you will soon discover, it’s much more than a simple model. Standing at 335 feet high, the Atomium actually allows visitors to enter and view the interior.

The introductory page of the Atomium website grabs your interest immediately with the tag line “the most astonishing building in the world.” Who wouldn’t want to find out more? After choosing your preferred language (French, Dutch or English), the home page opens to offer a wide range of options.

A true highlight of the website is a message from the creator of the Atomium, Mr. A. Waterkeyn, relating his ideas behind the design and engineering of the fascinating structure. Initial concerns about the effects of wind and how to handle the expected large numbers of visitors are covered here, and his account finishes with essential statistics about the Atomium.

The Atomium site offers more than 400 photos of this unique building, giving website visitors the opportunity for an extensive virtual tour. However, the photos also serve to increase interest and desire for a visit in person. The site’s photo album is divided into major sections, with easy navigation of the available pictures within each section.

There is an extensive “Info” section that gives complete details on the Atomium’s opening hours and entrance fees. You can also easily access directions and maps for finding the Atomium. Another information section provides details on reservation and cancellation policies. One particularly helpful page is called “Practical Info,” which presents information about eating, access by persons with limited mobility and other tips to make your visit to the Atomium enjoyable and trouble-free.

The Atomium frequently hosts a variety of art, design and social commentary exhibitions. The website provides complete descriptions of recent, current and upcoming exhibitions. Although the structure is certainly worthy of a visit in its own right, the interesting and provocative exhibitions add to the attractiveness of the Atomium.

A section designed for use by the media, information about supporting companies and a quick note about the Atomium store round out the site options.

The history of the Brussels World’s Fair, for which the Atomium was constructed, is especially interesting. The 1958 exposition was the first held after World War II. The Atomium was actually never intended to survive past the end of the fair, but its uniqueness and the continuing interest that it generated persuaded officials to keep the structure alive. It was renovated in 2003 and continues to be a distinctive feature of the Brussels area. The Atomium is a major tourist destination. After its reopening in early 2006 (after the renovation), the Atomium welcomed its millionth visitor a mere 18 months later.

Overall, the Atomium’s website is well-designed, refreshingly clean, and easy to navigate. It is infused with a feeling of European design and reflects the optimism and sense of discovery that dominated the 1950s.

Our verdict: highly recommended resource, 5/5