Towering high above the city of Kuwait, this is one monument you cannot miss while gazing at the city's skyline. Nor it is unknown to anyone staying in Kuwait. But do you know that this popular landmark measures 372 meters, which makes it about 40 meter’s taller than Paris' Eiffel Tower. It is a symbol of Kuwait's liberation from the Iraqi rule during the Gulf War. In addition it is also one of the tallest telecommunication towers around the world. It is also the tallest structure in Kuwait. Construction of the tower started before Iraqi invasion on August 2, 1990. It was then meant to be called The Kuwait Telecommunication Tower. When the invasion took place, the construction was put on hold and resumed after Saddam Hussein’s forces were relegated. The tower was renamed as the Liberation Tower, in the year 1993; after the renovation was over.His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah inaugurated this telecommunications tower on March 10, 1996.
On your visit to Liberation Tower , you will see that the structure façade is made up of ceramic tiles on the frontage from the base to the first lowest level, which is about 308 meters above the ground. The tower and the telecommunication compound are divided into three working areas. They include, a public communication center, revolving observation level and a restaurant, and the adjoining plant and equipment structure. There are 18 elevators in this tower. These can carry you up and down in no time. Two of them are enclosed with glass and can accommodate 21 passengers. They are regarded as one of the fastest in the world at notching up speeds of about 6.3 meters per second. There are six floors of offices set up above the revolving mezzanine floor. It is also known as Tahreer Tower. The view of Kuwait you get to see from the observation platform is breathtaking.
The Liberation Tower of Kuwait, is similar to the C N Tower (a communications and observation tower in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.) since both contain a revolving restaurant, observation platform, telecommunications equipment and similar architecture.
This is one must-visit destination when you are in Kuwait. It houses many government offices so it remains close for public. Only on Liberation Day from morning 7am to 12 noon, it remains open to general public. There are no entrance fees. And lots of activities are organized on this special day on the observation platform. You will surely enjoy if you visit it.
So if you want to visit Liberation Tower, it has to be on this special day.