From a football fan’s dream to reality: The story of a Fergana man who built his own Eiffel Tower

In 1998, Komiljon Juraev, a devoted football fan, was determined to attend the FIFA World Cup in France. After much effort, he managed to obtain a visa. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, he was unable to travel. The dream of visiting Paris and seeing the famous Eiffel Tower never left his mind.

Instead of giving up on his dream, Komiljon Juraev decided to bring France to his home. He sold his car, purchased over seven tons of metal, and by 2004, completed the construction of his very own 21-meter-tall "mini Eiffel Tower" in his yard.

The story behind the Eiffel Tower replica

Komiljon Juraev shared his story of longing for France and how he built the famous tower:

"The 1998 FIFA World Cup was held in France, and I had set my heart on going. But for certain reasons, I couldn't make the trip. I kept thinking about it and finally decided that instead of going to France, I would bring France to my home. That’s when I started building the Eiffel Tower, and in 2004, it was completed."

Initially, he was worried that strong winds in Kokand might topple the structure.

"Before starting the construction, I was afraid the wind would knock it down because the winds in Kokand are quite strong. So, I dug a foundation more than 1.5 meters deep to make it sturdy."

He prepared all the necessary equipment in advance and, with the help of three welding machines, completed the tower in 40 days. The project required over 7 tons of metal, and to cover the costs, he even sold his brand-new Tico car for $4,000 — an amount that was highly valuable at the time.

A unique attraction for visitors

In 2008, the wife of the French ambassador to Uzbekistan visited the tower along with high-ranking officials. Over the years, many tourists have come to admire Juraev’s Eiffel Tower, and he takes great pride in it.

"Seeing visitors come to see the Eiffel Tower brings me immense joy. It has become a part of my life and a cherished memory."

Now 74 years old, Komiljon Juraev feels that his long-standing wish has been partially fulfilled.

"I have my own Eiffel Tower at home, and I see it every day. One of my sons has visited France four times — he’s even there now. While I never got to see Paris, my son has."