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Torrespaña facts for kids

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Torrespaña
Torrespana-Tower-Madrid.jpg
Alternative names El Pirulí
General information
Status Estable
Type Broadcast tower
Location Madrid, Spain
Coordinates 40°25′13″N 3°39′51″W / 40.420278°N 3.664167°W / 40.420278; -3.664167
Construction started 17 February 1981
Inaugurated 7 June 1982
Owner Retevisión
Landlord RTVE
Height 232 m (761 ft)
Technical details
Lifts/elevators 1
Design and construction
Architect Emilio Fernández Martínez de Velasco
Main contractor DragadosAgroman

Torrespaña, which means "Spain Tower," is a very tall tower in Madrid, Spain. It is made of strong steel and concrete. The tower stands about 231 meters (758 feet) high. It is a special kind of building called a broadcast tower. This means its main job is to send out TV and radio signals.

Many national TV channels like RTVE, Telecinco, and Antena 3 use Torrespaña. The local channel Telemadrid also broadcasts from here. Plus, several radio stations use the tower to send their programs to homes across Spain.

Building the Tower

The Torrespaña tower was built in 1982. It was an important part of getting Spain ready for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. This big soccer tournament was held in Spain that year. The tower helped make sure that TV signals for the games could reach everyone.

At first, a company called RTVE managed the tower. But in 1989, another company named Retevisión took over. Retevisión became responsible for all radio and TV broadcasts in Spain.

Its Famous Nickname

Most people in Madrid know Torrespaña by a different name: "Pirulí". This nickname comes from a type of lollipop that was very popular in Spain in the 1980s. These lollipops had a unique conical, or cone-like, shape. The tower looks a lot like them, which is how it got its fun nickname!

Visiting Torrespaña

Even though Torrespaña is very tall and has great views, you cannot visit it. The tower is not open to the public. It is located in a low area, called a depression, right next to the M30 highway. This makes it a busy spot, but it is only for broadcasting.

Torrespaña (Madrid) 01
Torrespaña on the 50th anniversary of TVE

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Torrespaña para niños

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