The most fascinating fact about Tate Modern is that its famous chimney, a landmark on the London skyline, was deliberately designed to be 99 metres (325 feet) tall to ensure it was shorter than the dome of St Paul's Cathedral across the river. This was a condition of the original Bankside Power Station's planning approval in the 1940s to preserve the historic sightline.

From Industrial Power to Art Power

Tate Modern is housed in the former Bankside Power Station, a colossal building that generated electricity for London until its closure in 1981. The transformation from a derelict industrial site into a world-class art gallery is one of London's greatest architectural success stories. The building was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, who also famously designed the classic red telephone box.

A Record-Breaking Opening Year

When Tate Modern opened on 11 May 2000, its success was immediate and overwhelming. In its first year, it attracted an astonishing 5.25 million visitors. To put that in perspective, the three other existing Tate galleries (Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool, and Tate St Ives) had received a combined total of 2.5 million visitors the previous year.

The Cavernous Turbine Hall

The heart of the building is the immense Turbine Hall, which once housed the power station's electricity generators. This dramatic space is 155 metres long and 26 metres high, making it one of the most impressive single exhibition spaces in the world. It has hosted monumental, site-specific installations by artists like Olafur Eliasson (The Weather Project) and Ai Weiwei (Sunflower Seeds).

A Pioneering Space for Live Art

Deep beneath the gallery lie The Tanks, circular concrete spaces that were once the power station's oil storage tanks. In 2012, these were converted into the world's first museum galleries permanently dedicated to live art, performance, and film installations. This cemented Tate Modern's reputation as a forward-thinking institution embracing all forms of contemporary art.

An Award-Winning Expansion

In 2016, Tate Modern expanded its space by 60% with the opening of the Blavatnik Building, a ten-storey extension designed by the original architects, Herzog & de Meuron. The project cost £260 million and features a distinctive, twisting pyramid shape clad in perforated brickwork. The extension was renamed in 2017 after a major donation from philanthropist Sir Leonard Blavatnik.

A Collection for the World

Tate Modern houses the UK's national collection of international modern and contemporary art, which includes works created from 1900 to the present day. The collection is incredibly diverse, featuring masterpieces by artists from over 50 countries, including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Yayoi Kusama. Unusually, the main collection displays are arranged by theme rather than by chronological order.

More Surprising Tate Modern Facts

  • 4.2 Million Bricks: The original Bankside Power Station was constructed using approximately 4.2 million bricks.
  • Record-Breaking Exhibitions: A 2014 exhibition of Henri Matisse's cut-outs became London's best-attended charging exhibition at the time, with over 562,622 visitors.
  • Youth Magnet: During its 25th birthday weekend in May 2025, over 70% of the 76,000 visitors were under the age of 35.
  • Free Entry: Like other UK national museums, general admission to see the main collection at Tate Modern is completely free for everyone.

These facts only scratch the surface of what makes Tate Modern such a compelling place to visit. To discover it for yourself, you can plan a free visit or book tickets for one of its world-renowned special exhibitions. For an even deeper insight, consider joining one of the guided tours available.

Frequently asked questions

How many people visit Tate Modern each year?

Tate Modern is one of the world's most visited art museums, attracting millions of visitors annually. In 2023, it welcomed over 4.7 million people, making it the most popular art gallery in the United Kingdom.

What is the most famous piece of art in Tate Modern?

While the collection is vast, famous works on display include pieces by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Mark Rothko, and Andy Warhol's iconic 'Marilyn Diptych'. The Turbine Hall commissions, like Olafur Eliasson's 'The Weather Project', are also among its most famous installations.

Is the viewing level at Tate Modern free?

Yes, the public viewing terrace on Level 10 of the Blavatnik Building is free to access during gallery opening hours. It offers spectacular, 360-degree views of the London skyline, including St Paul's Cathedral and the River Thames.

Ready to uncover more secrets of this iconic gallery? Plan your visit to Tate Modern today.