The Eiffel Tower in the heart of Paris is a true milestone in architectural history. When it was built, the Eiffel Tower broke every record. Today, it is the most visited tourist attraction in the world! But what happens, when this legend meets a modern day tower-icon? The challenger: Tokyo Skytree. It is the highest freestanding tower in the world. A marvel of modern technology. Located in Japan’s capital – one of the most earthquake-prone areas of the world…

This episode reveals the secrets behind the technology of such impressive structures. How complex was it to build the giants? Which mega-tower has the more innovative technology? Which tower revolutionised architecture? This episode of “Legends vs modern icons” is a contest of superlatives!

Each one of them – be it legend or icon - faced their own challenges in construction, materials and location. But clever engineers always came up with brilliant solutions. How do you create the highest structure of the world – within just a little more than two years – at the end of the 19^th century? How do you make the highest tower in the world earthquake-resistent – in modern times? Why is it surprising that the world-famous Eiffel Tower is still standing today? And what is so special about the elevator system in both towers?

Side stories in this episode feature bridge construction, ancient japanese architectural knowledge and curious incidents in the lighting market…

Weather in terms of architecture, features and construction: Can the modern icon comepete with the most famous tower in the world?