Watts Towers, Folk art monument in Watts, Los Angeles, US
The Watts Towers consist of 17 steel and concrete structures, reaching 99 feet high, decorated with glass, pottery, tiles, and seashells throughout the surfaces.
Italian immigrant Simon Rodia spent 33 years building these towers from 1921 to 1954, using found materials and creating the structures without machinery or scaffolding.
The towers represent the fusion of Italian architectural traditions with American folk art, incorporating decorative elements from the local community into the design.
The Watts Towers Arts Center offers guided tours, workshops, and educational programs, while maintaining specific visiting hours for public access to the structures.
Engineering tests in 1959 demonstrated the structural integrity of the towers by subjecting them to 10,000 pounds of pressure without causing damage.
Location: Los Angeles
Architects: Simon Rodia
Creator: Simon Rodia
Website: http://wattstowers.org
GPS coordinates: 33.93874,-118.24105
Latest update: May 26, 2025 19:20
The mosaics display artistic and historical elements from antiquity to modern times. Roman floor mosaics, Byzantine wall pieces and Islamic geometric patterns document religious and cultural developments. The works are located in churches, mosques, palaces and public spaces.
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