Petronas Towers

The Petronas Twin Towers were the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 till 2004, with a height of 452 meter. Although by now surpassed by the Taipei 101 in Taiwan and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, they remain the tallest Twin Towers in the world.

Construction began in 1991 and it took seven years to build both towers. Although each tower looks the same, they were built by a different consortium of contractors. The famous bridge at floor 41 and 42 is not part of the towers and was build separately. Because both towers can swing a full meter away and towards each other due to wind, the bridge is designed to slide in and out of both towers to prevent it from breaking and to allow each tower to swing separately.

Aspects of Muslim art and culture were used in the design of the building. The outside of the building is made of glass and steel and has motives found in Islamic art. The shape of the buildings resembles a Rub el Hizb, an eight-point star made of two overlapping squares. The center of both towers is made of a 23 by 23 meters concrete core, which provides most of the structural support, and an outer ring of support columns. The bedrock at this location was very deep so the towers were built on the world deepest foundation at 120 meters.

At the foot of the Petronas Towers is Suria KLCC, a 6 story prestigious shopping center were all major foreign luxury brands can be found. Unfortunately the towers are closed to the public. Visitors are allowed to go to the skybridge at the 41 floor though, but less than 1000 people are allowed per day and tickets for that day are only sold in the morning. Petronas sells two type of packages, a visit to the skybridge alone, or also to the 86th floor. You need to come very early in the morning before the tickets are sold out.