The Atomium is a strong symbol of Brussels and of Belgium. It is a vestige from the past with a resolutely futuristic look. As a museum and exhibition space, the structure was designed and built for the Brussels Universal and International Exhibition (1958), for which it served as the flagship building and emblem. 

Its height peaks at 102 metres. Its nine interconnected spheres represent an elementary iron crystal enlarged 165 billion times. It was designed by the Engineer André Waterkeyn (1917-2005).