Ostankino Tower, Television tower in Moscow, Russia
Ostankino Tower is a television and radio tower in Ostankinsky District that ranks among the tallest freestanding structures in the world at 540 meters. The reinforced concrete structure rests on ten supports arranged like petals and carries two observation platforms along with antennas for broadcasting operations.
Construction started in 1963 under engineer Nikolai Nikitin and was completed in 1967 to mark the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution. The structure became the first in the world to reach a height exceeding 500 meters.
The name comes from the historic Ostankino village, now part of the district bearing the same name. Visitors can experience the tower as a symbol of Russian broadcasting technology, still actively transmitting signals to millions of households.
The two observation levels sit at different heights, with the lower one accessible year-round and the upper one opening when weather permits. Visitors should bring identification and can purchase tickets on site for the different levels.
A rotating restaurant with a glass floor sits on one of the middle levels and turns once per hour to offer diners constantly changing views. The tower also serves as a concert hall for special events in the enclosed interior space.
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