Big Ben – London’s Clock Tower
Big Ben of London
Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament’s famous clock tower is among the most famous spots in London.
What is Big Ben?
The Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, generally known as Big Ben, are among the most iconic spots and must-see attractions in London. Practically, Big Ben is actually the name that has been given to the huge bell within the clock tower, which is more than 13 tons in weight. The clock tower looks stunning in the evening when the 4 clock side faces are illuminated.
Big Ben some facts
- Each dial is 7 metres in diameter.
- The minutes hands are about 4.2 metres long and nearly 100kg in weight.
- The numbers are about 60cm long.
- There are 312 portions of glass in each clock dial.
- A unique light over the faces of the clock is illuminated when the parliament is in session.
- Big Ben’s timekeeping is strictly managed by a special stack of coins positioned on the large pendulum.
- Big Ben has actually rarely stopped working. Even after a bomb that destroyed the Commons chamber during World War II, the clock tower made it through and Big Ben continued to work.
- Big Ben’s chimes were broadcast for the first time by BBC on 31 December 1923, a traditional practice that continues until today.
- The latin words under the face of the clock mention “DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM”, which mean “O Lord, keep our Queen Victoria the first safe”
- In June 2012 the house of Commons declared that the clock tower was to have a new name of “Elizabeth Tower” in the honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Ruby Jubilee.
When was Big Ben tower built?
In 1834 the palace of Westminster was damaged by a fire, and In 1844 it was decided that the new buildings of the Houses of Parliament have to include a tower as well as a clock.
A huge bell was needed and the first attempt made by John Detector & Sons at Stockton-on-Tees has been cracked entirely. The metal used was melted and the bell has been recast in Whitechapel in 1858.
Big Ben’s first ring across Westminster was on 31 May 1859. later in September 1859, Big Ben suddenly cracked. A lighter weight hammer was installed and the bell was rotated a little to present an undamaged area to the lighter hammer.
How high is Big Ben?
Elizabeth Tower is more than 96 metres high, with about 334 steps to climb up to the belfry, and about 399 steps to the Ayrton Light at the very top of the tower.
Where is Big Ben located?
Big Ben is located in the Elizabeth Tower at the north side of the houses of Parliament in Westminster (Central London), beside the river Thames.
There are several bus routes that go by the clock tower, and also Westminster Tube station is across the street, serviced by the Jubilee district and Circle lines.
Why is it called Big Ben?
The source of Big Ben name is not known, but two theories exist.
The first one is that it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the very first commissioner of works, a big man who also was known in the house as “Big Ben”.
The 2nd theory is that it was named after a heavy-weight boxing champion during that time, Benjamin Caunt who also called “Big Ben”, that nickname was generally used in the society to identify anything which was the heaviest in its course.
