On January 28, 1887, the construction of the Eiffel Tower started. 2 years, 2 months and 5 days later, the iconic tower was finished in record time, considered by many as a veritable technical feat. On March 31, 1889, it opened to the public.
The Eiffel Tower today is one of the world’s most visited monuments, receiving around 7 million visitors a year. Below are some rare historical photos of the Eiffel Tower when it was still under construction.
The Eiffel Tower is shown under construction in 1887.
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Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, the engineer whose company designed and built the tower, is pictured with four other people at the summit of the Eiffel Tower during the Paris World Fair in 1889.
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The elevator is shown at the first level of the Eiffel Tower, during its construction.
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A combination of two photos shows the progress of the building of the Eiffel Tower in Paris in June 1888 (L) and in July 1888.
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The base of the building is being built in 1888.
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The beginning stages of construction on the tower in Paris, on Sept. 1, 1887.
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The foundation of what will be the Eiffel Tower in Paris is seen in 1887, before construction even began.
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This photo shows the base of the massive monument under construction in Paris on Dec. 7, 1887.
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Here, split images show The Eiffel tower as it nears completion from Dec. 26, 1888 to Jan. 20, 1889.
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The staircase of the Eiffel Tower which is still under construction is seen, 1887. Most visitors will use the elevator to get from the first floor to the second floor observatory.
AP
The Eiffel Tower in Paris is seen under construction in 1887.
AP
Electrical workers balance high up on the Eiffel tower in paris to change the lights that illuminate the tower at night on Oct. 29, 1937.
Horace Abrahams/Getty Images
High above the River Seine two electricians work on the lights on the Eiffel Tower which will illuminate the Paris Exhibition at night.
Horace Abrahams/Getty Images
Eiffel Tower under construction in 1887 in Paris, France.
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The bottom of what will be the Eiffel Tower is under construction in 1887, in Paris.
AP
Images below are copies of Gustave Eiffel’s original blueprints taken from the book La Tour de 300 mètres, Ed. Lemercier, Paris 1900
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Eiffel Tower today.
