Petronas Towers
Petronas Towers (Twin towers Petronas) are the world’s tallest skyscrapers, which are located in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur. These structures are a true masterpiece of architecture, erected according to all the laws of Islamic art. Each of them is made in the form of an eight-pointed star with semicircular protrusions – a sacred symbol of integrity and harmony. The Petronas Twin Towers have become a symbol of modern Malaysia, epitomizing the ancient culture and great opportunities of this country.
Video: A weekend in Kuala Lumpur and the Petronas Twin Towers
” title=”YouTube video player” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” allowfullscreen> Contents- Highlights
- History of creation
- Construction features
Interior furnishings - Area near the towers
- Tourist information
Highlights
The skyscrapers took 6 years to build, the project was completed in 1998. Two competing companies were involved, resulting in a significant increase in productivity. At the initial stage, geologists’ soil surveys revealed that the planned development area was located on rocky bedrock and soft limestone. After the erection of such huge towers, this terrain would be at risk – the structure could collapse at any moment. Therefore it was decided to shift the construction site by several tens of meters, which made it possible to ensure safe operation of the buildings. Additional safety is guaranteed by the bridge crossing. In case of fire, it will help to evacuate quickly enough from one tower to the other.
The whole project cost the main customer – the state oil corporation Petronas – almost 800 million dollars. Part of the sum was contributed by some Malaysian companies, which shared the rental space in the buildings. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad also took part in the process of creating the skyscrapers, having made a proposal to erect the structure in Islamic style. The complex is the likeness of stars that have eight corners, which symbolizes integrity in this religion.
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Design features
The Petronas Towers are considered the tallest twin skyscrapers in the world. The complex is almost half a kilometer (452 m) tall and has 88 floors. Builders deliberately used special spires to increase the height of the structure and overtake the leading towers in Chicago at that time. Among all skyscrapers on our planet, the Petronas ranks only 4th behind the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Taipei 101 in China, and the World Financial Center in Shanghai (as of 2015).
.The skyscrapers are supported by sixteen load-bearing columns, they are able to resist even if three of them collapse. The structure is characterized not only by its considerable height, but also by the complexity of its layout. The total area of the building is 213,750 m², which is the size of fifty soccer fields. It houses conference rooms, art galleries and concert halls. The bridge is located exactly in the middle of the building – at the level of 40-41 floors. There is a special observation deck, from which you can get a stunning view. An interesting feature of the towers are two-story elevators. One is for even-numbered floors, the other for odd-numbered floors.
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Tourist Information
The towers are one of the main attractions in Malaysia. This masterpiece of architecture has been reflected in cinematic art. The structure is mentioned in the movie “The Trap”, “Apocalypse Code” and the documentary series “Life After People”. The developers of the computer games Hitman 2: Silent Assassin and Zero Tolerance have not forgotten about the skyscrapers.
.The Petronas Towers are located in the capital’s Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) district. They can be reached via the subway by getting off at KLCC station, or via the monorail, in which case you need to get off at Bukit Nanas.
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Hundreds of people visit the skyscrapers every day, several thousand people work here. The influx of tourists is so great that the management had to impose some restrictions on visiting the buildings. Tickets must be purchased in advance, as you will have to stand in line for them for several hours. The ticket office opens at 8.30, the building itself can be visited from 9.00 to 21.00 on all days except Monday. On Friday from 13.00 to 14.30 the skyscrapers are closed to the public. The art gallery on the third floor is open from 10.00 to 20.00. Tourists are invited to attend a mini tour, which will show the exhibition halls and numerous rooms. There is also an opportunity to take a bird’s eye view of the city while standing on the observation deck. Visiting the towers and viewing the galleries is only possible as part of a guided tour group. All of this will cost about $20.
.The staff serving tourists is characterized by friendliness, friendliness and willingness to help. If you have any problems or questions, you can safely turn to any employee – he will gladly help you. You can get to the towers with the help of public transportation. You should find the nearest subway station and go to the KLCC stop.
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