Big Ben | Symbolic Architecture of London

Big Ben, also known as Elizabeth Tower, is an iconic building located in London, England. It is part of the Palace of Westminster and is famous for its distinctive appearance and the sound of its bell. 🏰 Architectural Features Big Ben is a Gothic Revival building, approximately 96 meters (315 feet) tall. Its tower top is a four-sided clock, each face of which has a dial with a diameter of 7 meters (23 feet). Each dial is composed of 312 pieces of pot opal glass, displaying the time in Roman numerals. Inside the tower, there are five bells, the largest of which is Big Ben itself, weighing 13.7 tons. Every hour, Big Ben strikes, producing a deep and melodious sound. This sound has become a symbol of London and is also the time signal for BBC radio. 📚 History and Origin of the Name The construction of Big Ben was completed in 1859 as a replacement for the old bell tower that was destroyed in a fire in 1834. There are two main stories about how "Big Ben" got its name. One theory is that it was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who was the First Commissioner of Works at the time and was nicknamed "Big Ben." Another theory suggests that it was named after the heaviest boxer of the time, Benjamin Caunt, who was also known as "Big Ben." In 2012, to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, the clock tower was officially renamed Elizabeth Tower. 📸 Travel and Visiting Although the interior of Big Ben is not usually open to the public, people can enjoy its full view from the London Eye or other places along the River Thames. Every hour, you can hear its striking bell. On special occasions, such as New Year's Eve, Big Ben strikes a special chime, attracting a large number of tourists and locals. #Travel #BeautifulScenery