Like giant pétanque boules suspended in the sky, the Atomium in Belgium’s capital, Brussels, actually represents a body-centred cubic unit cell of an iron crystal, enlarged around 165 billion times. Rising 102 metres above the Heysel Plateau, the structure is composed of nine stainless-steel spheres connected by tubular corridors, forming one of Europe’s most distinctive landmarks. The Atomium was built for the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair (Expo 58) and was designed by engineer André Waterkeyn as a symbol of scientific progress and post-war optimism. Although originally intended as a temporary structure, its bold design and popular appeal ensured its preservation, and it has since become a permanent feature of the city’s skyline. Several of the spheres are accessible to visitors, and in this video we step inside the belly of this metal beast. Within the spheres, exhibitions explore science, design, and the history of Expo 58, while the connecting tubes—fitted with escalators and stairways—highlight the structure’s industrial and engineering character. One sphere houses a restaurant, and the uppermost sphere offers panoramic views across Brussels and beyond. While the Atomium’s symbolism is firmly rooted in atomic science and engineering, its visual resemblance to familiar objects helps make it instantly approachable. This balance between technical meaning and everyday association has secured its status as Belgium’s most recognisable modern monument. 回