Twenty years ago, the glass pyramid of the Louvre was opened

Paris/Prague - The imposing glass pyramid standing in the middle of Napoleon's courtyard in front of the Louvre serves as the main entrance to this most famous Parisian museum. Visitors have been passing through it for nearly two decades - since March 29, 1989.
    The roughly 21-meter-high pyramid is actually the roof of enormous underground spaces that house various visitor services. Its opening marked the end of the first phase of the so-called Grand Louvre project, which aimed to expand and modernize the Louvre and make it "the largest museum in the world."
    This idea was particularly favored by the then French President François Mitterrand, who personally selected and promoted the bold project of American architect I.M. Pei in 1983. His design for the glass entrance pyramid was shocking, but stood the test. It was implemented, even though initially about seventy percent of the French disagreed with it. Over time, objections quieted, and today it is considered one of the symbols of Paris, just like the Eiffel Tower.