The London Eye has been rotating for 20 years

London/Prague - On the last day of the year 1999, the highest "Ferris wheel" in Europe was ceremoniously inaugurated in London. Despite criticism from local residents, it quickly became the most sought-after paid attraction in Great Britain, where there are long queues. The so-called London Eye offers incredible views, allowing observers to see the entire British capital almost at their fingertips. Every year, over 3.5 million visitors come to see it.

The giant observation wheel, located in close proximity to the most famous London landmarks, has 32 air-conditioned cabins, each of which can hold up to 25 people. Therefore, tens of thousands of visitors rotate through it each day. The mechanism is constantly in motion, turning very slowly, so tourists can board while it is moving. A single ride lasts half an hour.

The construction of the 135-meter-high and 1500-ton giant involved the Plzeň-based Škoda, which produced the heart of the entire wheel - the central axis for securing the cables and the anchoring base. The realization of the London Eye was made possible by the companies British Airways and Marks Barfield Architects.