When one thinks of Paris, the first thing that pops in mind is the iconic Eiffel Tower. One of world's most famous landmarks' just turned 130. The tower marked the event with a light show. The tower was initially built for the 1889 World's Fair stands 324 meters tall and was the tallest structure in the world until the Chrysler building was constructed at New York in 1930. The tower gets 7 million visitors each year.
However, when it was initially built by Gustave Eiffel, not many took a shine to the metal structure. Intellectuals Guy de Maupassant and Emile Zola published a letter in the newspaper Le Temps. They protested against the tower, described it as "useless and monstrous Eiffel Tower" and an "odious column of sheet metal with bolts." Many even called for it to be demolished after the exhibit. But today it is one of the most visited monument in France.
The tower officially turns 130 on May 31.
