Big Ben Tower Clock
The Big Ben tower, a well-known landmark in London, immediately comes to mind when you consider the emblems of England. The largest of Westminster Palace's six bells is called Big Ben. Many people mistakenly believe that this is the name of the London clock tower, but in reality, the 13-ton bell that hangs inside the tower behind the clock dial is what the name refers to. Big Ben's official name was the Palace of Westminster Clock Tower. In honor of the 60th anniversary of the Queen's reign, the British Parliament decided to rename this English landmark Elizabeth Tower in 2012. Despite having other names, "Big Ben" continues to be the most widely used name for the tower, clock, and bell.
The clock tower in Westminster was built in 1288 and had a completely different appearance at the time. A terrible fire broke out in Westminster Palace in 1834, destroying everything. Charles Barry rebuilt it with the architect Augustus Welby Pugin, who designed the current clock tower in the neo-gothic style. When Big Ben was built in 1859, the mechanism for resetting the clock was initiated, and it still displays an exact time today. There are two widely used interpretations in whose memory the London clock was named. According to the first version, Benjamin Hall, who built Big Ben or, more specifically, oversaw its construction, is honored by the tower's name. The engineer was frequently referred to as Big Ben because of his rather large stature. A different spelling of the clock tower's name honors renowned heavyweight boxer Ben Caunt.
The tower with the spire is 320 feet tall (96.3 meters). Consider the high level of a 16-story building to get an idea of Big Ben's height. Because there are no elevators or lifts in the tower, it is not open to the general public. Exceptions to the rule are made on occasion, and visitors must master 334 steps to go upstairs.
The clock on London's Big Ben Tower is by far the biggest in the entire world. The dial has a 7-meter diameter. The arrows are 2.7 and 4.2 meters long. The clock mechanism, which weighs 5 tons in total, is regarded as the benchmark for truth. The machinery assembly, on which work was finished in 1854, was the responsibility of watchmaker Edward John Dent. A completely new double three-stage system was developed that allows for more effective division of the five-ton clockwork and pendulum. Even during the Second World War, the clock's dependability was demonstrated when German bombings damaged two dials and the tower's roof but had no effect on the mechanism's ability to run. As a result, this British landmark has come to represent the precision and dependability of all English. Furthermore, each dial has the inscription "God save our Queen Victoria I," which is also unmistakably in the English tradition.
Year of construction: 31 May 1859
Total Height: 316 feet (96 m)
Location: Westminster, London, UK
