Ostankino Tower
Nikolai Nikitin stood before a competition committee in the 1950s and rejected the prevailing steel lattice designs. He proposed a solid reinforced concrete structure instead of an openwork metal tower like the Eiffel Tower or Vladimir Shukhov's earlier work on Shabolovka Street. His design incorporated 149 taut steel ropes to ensure stability against strong winds. The engineer claimed he conceived the project overnight after dreaming of an upside-down lilium flower with robust petals. This dream inspired the cone-shaped foundation that would support the massive weight above. Critics argued the base was too small, measuring only 4.6 meters underground. They wrote collective letters demanding the installation of 40-meter piles to prevent collapse. Despite these warnings, construction proceeded without the recommended deep foundations. The center of gravity shifted significantly during the building process, allowing the spire to sway up to 12 meters in high winds. A total of 150 steel cables were installed inside the trunk to safeguard against corrosion. These cables were coated with gun oil, a thick petroleum mixture combined with petrolatum and ceresin.
Work began on the site in 1959, creating an entire town dedicated solely to the project. This settlement included a boiler house, a concrete plant, and a mechanical workshop for workers. Leonid Batalov and Dmitry Burdin shaped the final appearance of the structure using arches between supports. They constructed a glazed cylinder beneath the tower trunk to house technical services and live broadcasting studios. Illuminator windows in the upper section gave the tower a striking resemblance to a rocket. The grand opening occurred in 1967, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution. Initially, only a portion of the structure was operational while remaining works finished by 1969. Approximately 10 million individuals resided within the transmitter coverage area upon completion. By 2014, this number expanded to over 15 million people across Moscow and surrounding regions. Residents in cities like Balashikha, Voskresensk, and Zelenograd could see the tower under favorable weather conditions. The tower stands as the tallest free-standing structure in Europe today at 540 meters.
The Ostankino Tower held the title of the tallest structure in the world from 1967 until 1974. It surpassed the Empire State Building to become the tallest free-standing structure globally. This achievement stood until the CN Tower in Toronto claimed the new record at 553 meters. Today it remains the 15th tallest structure in the world and the tallest in Europe. The flagpole atop the tower held the title of the tallest flagpole for many years. On the 27th of April 1967, the flag of the USSR was placed on top of the tower. Originally intended to be 50 by 20 meters, it was reduced to 5 by 2 meters due to wind load concerns. In 1991, the Soviet flag was taken down and the tower remained without one for over 17 years. On the 12th of June 2009, which is Day of Russia, a new Russian flag was hoisted on the tower. The previous flag is currently preserved in the tower museum. Over 30 years leading up to the 2000 fire, the vantage point welcomed over 10 million guests.
A devastating blaze engulfed the Seventh Heaven restaurant on the 27th of August 2000 around 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The fire initially broke out at a height of 460 meters above the observation platform. Within moments flames spread rapidly, causing extensive damage to the entire structure. Out of 150 steel cables that once held the building together, only 19 remained intact after the fire subsided. Three fatalities occurred as a result when an elevator cabin crashed to ground level. A firefighter and lift operator died during the incident while three others were present in the cabin. It took until the following evening to extinguish the flames completely. The failure of fire suppression systems forced emergency workers to manually carry heavy equipment up the tower. Temporary firewalls made of asbestos were installed at a height of 340 meters to prevent further spreading. Television broadcasts across Moscow and surrounding areas were mostly disrupted except for privately owned NTV station. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated this accident showed the shape of vital installations and the overall state of the country.
New elevators manufactured by ThyssenKrupp were tested and put into service on the 25th of March 2005. High-speed elevator No. 4 was finally operational in December 2006. The tower remained inaccessible to visitors until reconstruction fully completed in 2008. Observation decks reopened with pilot tours on the 27th of March 2008. The restaurant stayed closed for eight additional years before reopening in November 2016. Special installations now introduce nitrogen into rooms during fires to prevent combustion development. In May 2007, smoke appeared at 342 meters causing elevators to temporarily stop service. Firefighters had to reach the location on foot after the breach of safety regulations during welding operations. All people inside were evacuated successfully without casualties. Four new elevators were installed between 2003 and 2005 to replace damaged units from the original German R.Stahl system. Elevators #6 and #7 above the observation deck remain non-functional as shafts are blocked with cables and feeders. Inductive energy transfer systems provide contactless electricity transmission to cabins using transformer principles. Machine units sit at distances of 360 and 364 meters within the structure.
The Seventh Sky restaurant offered a unique dining experience across three halls named Bronze, Silver, and Golden. These halls occupied separate floors ranging from 328 to 334 meters above ground level. Each hall contained 24 four-seat tables arranged in a circle near panoramic windows with a radius of 9.2 meters. The total area covered 600 square meters with each hall being 2.5 meters wide. Reservations were necessary since each level accommodated a maximum of 80 people. Throughout its operation approximately 10 million people visited before the fire destroyed all three floors. Reconstruction took sixteen years to complete due to investor challenges and safety regulations limiting visitors to 50 at any time. On the 21st of July 2018 athletes from 12 countries raced up the narrow spiral staircase to 337.0 meters altitude. German Christian Riedl reached the top in 9 minutes and 51 seconds while US winner Cynthia Harris finished in 12 minutes and 15 seconds. Two observation decks exist today: one glazed deck at 337 meters and another open deck positioned 3 meters closer to the top. The open deck only operates on rare occasions during favorable weather conditions without wind.
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Common questions
Who designed the Ostankino Tower and what was their inspiration?
Nikolai Nikitin designed the Ostankino Tower after dreaming of an upside-down lilium flower. He proposed a solid reinforced concrete structure instead of steel lattice designs to ensure stability against strong winds.
When did construction begin on the Ostankino Tower and when was it officially opened?
Work began on the site in 1959 creating a dedicated town for workers. The grand opening occurred in 1967 coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution while remaining works finished by 1969.
What happened during the fire at the Ostankino Tower on the 27th of August 2000?
A devastating blaze engulfed the Seventh Heaven restaurant at 460 meters above ground around 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Three fatalities occurred as a result when an elevator cabin crashed to ground level and only 19 out of 150 steel cables remained intact.
How tall is the Ostankino Tower and where does it rank globally today?
The tower stands as the tallest free-standing structure in Europe today at 540 meters. It remains the 15th tallest structure in the world after losing its global record to the CN Tower in Toronto in 1974.
Which cities can see the Ostankino Tower under favorable weather conditions?
Residents in Balashikha, Voskresensk, and Zelenograd could see the tower under favorable weather conditions. Approximately 15 million people across Moscow and surrounding regions were within the transmitter coverage area by 2014.