Big Ben is one of London's most famous landmarks and an iconic symbol of British culture and history.
Big Ben was built between 1843 and 1859 as part of the reconstruction of the Palace of Westminster. The clock tower, officially named Elizabeth Tower since 2012, stands 96.3 meters (316 feet) tall. The tower was designed by Augustus Pugin in the Gothic Revival style, featuring intricate stonework and four massive clock faces that measure 7 meters in diameter. Each clock face contains 312 pieces of opal glass, allowing the time to be visible day and night. The tower's foundation extends 13 meters deep to ensure stability.
The name "Big Ben" actually refers to the largest bell inside the tower, which weighs an impressive 13.7 tons. The tower houses a total of five bells - the main hour bell (Big Ben) and four quarter bells that chime at 15-minute intervals. The clock mechanism itself is remarkably precise, regulated by a stack of old pennies placed on the pendulum to maintain accurate time. The clock faces are illuminated at night, creating a distinctive golden glow visible across London. During its construction, chief clock maker Edward John Dent passed away, leaving his stepson Frederick Dent to complete the project. The first chimes rang out across London on May 31, 1859, marking the beginning of Big Ben's service as London's timekeeper. Despite damage during World War II, the clock continued to chime, making it a symbol of British resilience. The tower underwent extensive renovation work between 2017 and 2022 to preserve its structural integrity and restore its original Victorian appearance. Today, Big Ben remains not just a timekeeper but a testament to British engineering excellence and architectural beauty, drawing millions of visitors annually to admire its grandeur and precision.