In the year 1889, on the last day of March, a monument of riveted iron and colossal stature flung open its entrance to the awe-inspired public. As a centerpiece for the Exposition Universelle and reaching 300 meters into the Parisian sky, the Eiffel Tower – affectionately dubbed the ‘Iron Lady’ – astounded the world with its grandeur. Initially destined for dismantlement after two decades, this structure defied its fate, proudly claiming the title of the tallest man-made edifice for 41 years. The addition of a radio antenna sealed its value as an indispensable transmission tower, preserving it as a symbol of French innovation and elegance.
Across the globe, in 2011, the Tokyo skyline was forever transformed with the erection of the Tokyo Skytree. This towering marvel stretches 634 meters heavenward, outmatching its predecessor, the Tokyo Tower. Beyond its striking presence, the Skytree was born from a necessity to grace Tokyo’s residents with unfettered television broadcasting, amidst the rapidly emerging jungle of new skyscrapers.
While the Skytree dominates the skies in Tokyo, Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur is making its mark as the second tallest structure globally, trailing only behind the majestic Burj Khalifa. The 118-storey behemoth doesn’t only scrape the skies but also symbolizes a deeply rooted national spirit. Its harmonious silhouette mirrors that of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s premier leader, as he proclaimed ‘Merdeka,’ or ‘Independence,’ on August 31, 1957 – now a day of triumphant celebration in the nation’s calendar.
Meanwhile, the Azadi Tower, which translates to ‘Freedom Tower’, graces Tehran with its 45-meter marble form, erected in the momentous year of 1971 to herald 2500 years of Persian continuity. However, its significance isn’t merely historical, as all distances in Iran are measured from this Zero Mile Marker – an essential national geodetic reference similar to Nagpur’s Zero Mile Stone in India.
Among the medieval streets of Bologna, Italy, twin towers loom as enduring sentinels since the 11th century. Once a prison and a watchtower, they later served as a laboratory for scientists studying Earth’s rotation. Both towers share a curious lean, much like their more renowned compatriot, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, situated 180 kilometers away, tilting against time’s tempests.
Stateside, Seattle’s futuristic skyline is crowned by the Space Needle. An emblem since the 1962 World’s Fair, this 184-meter structure with its revolving restaurant crafts an iconic view, conceived to emulate a ‘flying saucer tethered to earth.’ Its silhouette has become synonymous with the city’s innovative spirit.
The drama and spectacle of Las Vegas are magnified in the Strat Hotel & Casino, featuring the tallest observation tower in the United States. Soaring to 350 meters, with a revolving restaurant and adrenaline-inducing rides, this tower earned a new moniker in 2020. ‘Strat,’ a nod to its geodetic namesake, the Stratosphere, conveys its prominence on the Vegas skyline.
Sri Lanka’s Lotus Tower stands as a beacon of progress at 351 meters. With an architectural nod to the national flower, it blends tradition with modernity. Embedded with color-changing LEDs and offering luxury accommodation, the tower opened under the tenure of a president who faced corruption charges and consequent resignation amidst protests in 2022.
India prides itself on the TV Tower in Rameswaram, rising to 323 meters as a testament to Doordarshan’s broadcasting capabilities. Situated in a city known for mythological significance and engineering marvels like floating railway bridges, the tower connects the nation and its neighbor, Sri Lanka.
Finally, the Indian Navy claims the tallest military structure in the world with the INS Kattabomman, a VLF transmission facility in Tirunelveli. Standing at 471 meters, the umbrella antenna represents a victory for the country’s military communications and honors the valiant 18th-century Tamil king’s resistance against colonial forces.
The Hindu Sunday Magazine proudly presents these towering tales of structural marvels, united in their command of the skies and their stories etched in the heritage of the lands they accentuate.
