The Eiffel Tower in Paris is all set to get a new guardian. Bullet-proof glass walls are being installed around the monument to boost up France's security as the country is in a state of emergency since the Islamist attacks of 2015. The construction work, which will take nine months to complete, will cost £30 million. The walls will be constructed around the gardens along the structure's base, to help prevent terror attacks.
Paris sees about seven million tourists every year, and its star attraction has a permanent police patrol for protection. However, increased terrorist threats made councillors vote unanimously for the new security addition. Additionally, the tower will be repainted in 2018 and its elevators will be refurbished, followed by the construction of a new reception centre.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site has been allotted 300 million euros for renovation and maintenance over the next 15 years.
Since 2015, Paris has been the victim of several terror attacks, killing about 200 people. In August, a former psychiatric patient crossed the Eiffel Tower's security barrier, claiming that he wanted to attack a soldier. Other such incidents have occurred near the Champs-Elysees, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Louvre museum in Paris. This prompted authorities to replace the makeshift barriers around the monument with bullet-proof glasses.
Ever since its inception in 1887, the Eiffel Tower has had a very interesting run. It was initially built as an entrance to World's Fair in 1889, by engineer Gustave Eiffel and his company. The work started on January 28, 1887, and took 2 years, 2 months, and 5 days to complete. Its initial open design was criticized, but it has now become the world's most visited monument.
According to the official website, Eiffel Tower was initially designed as "a great pylon, consisting of four lattice girders standing apart at the base and coming together at the top, joined together by metal trusses at regular intervals." Then Stephen Sauvestre, head of architectural department at Eiffel's company, added arches to the tower's base, a glass pavilion in its first level, and other decorative embellishments. Over the years, the structure of the monument has seen many changes, according to the need of the moment.
