The final spotlight on an emblematic neighbour of NEO Brussels, the Atomium !
The Atomium is much more than a monument; it is a unique experience at the crossroads of science, heritage and history. With its spectacular silhouette representing an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times, it has become the symbol of both Brussels and Belgium.
Pictures ©Christophe Licoppe
The Atomium offers visitors the most beautiful panoramic view of Brussels while they marvel at its different exhibitions. The permanent exhibition traces the more than 65-year history of the former Expo 58 pavilion. More than half of the route is dedicated to installations whose themes revolve around the digital arts.
The Atomium currently invites visitors to discover “Centrale”, a digital installation that immerses them in sound and light. “Echoes of Distant Lights” is a laser creation offering a poetic and aesthetic reflection on light, space and time, and “Crossing” is a digital and symphonic work that unites art and technology.
The Atomium was designed and built for the Brussels World Fair in 1958.
This Fair was intended as an expression of democratic will
- to maintain peace between all nations,
- faith in both technical and scientific progress
- an optimistic vision of the future of a new, modern, hyper-technological world that would allow people to live better.
- It was this vision of the peaceful use of atomic energy for scientific purposes that determined the design and construction of the Atomium.
NB: The Atomium ticket automatically includes admission to the Design Museum Brussels, 150 m away.