Big Ben

Big Ben is probably the world's most famous clock. That iconic
silhouette is instantly recognisable and is one of the
most Instagrammed landmarks on the planet.  
Six monarchs and 41 prime ministers have come and gone since the bells
first struck their now familiar music across Westminster.  
Here we tell Big Ben's historic story in words and images. It's a rich tale
of drama, intrigue and politics. Discover why it was built, the engineers
and clockmakers who created this horological masterpiece and the
incredible efforts being made to restore Big Ben to its former glory, even
exceed it. 
Big Ben is one of the most popular places of interest in London and
symbols of England. Every year many people visit the capital of Great
Britain to see it and take some photos with it in the background. It is
thought that Big Ben is a high tower with a very big clock, but that’s not
really true.

In fact, this tower is called Saint Stephens Tower, but people, even those
who live in the UK, are used to calling it "Big Ben." Actually, Big Ben is the
huge bell inside the building. Its weight is about thirteen tons and it rings
every hour daily: once at one o'clock, twice at two o'clock and so on.
However, people who live near the tower can hear at New Year’s Night
how the bell strikes thirteen. It’s considered to be the biggest bell ever
made in the country. The bell was firstly used in 1859 and was cracked
soon because of the heavy hammer, which struck too strong. After this
situation the hammer was changed, but that crack is still there.
There are many hypotheses for the origin of the name “Big Ben”. The
most popular one suggests that the bell was named after Sir Benjamin
Hall, who was responsible for the installation. Some of people say he was
really tall and that’s why this bell is called big, but the majority believe it is
called Big because of its size.
Big Ben is one of the best-known landmarks in Europe. Nowadays the
word Big Ben connects the bell, the clock and the tower at the same time.
The tower is closed to the general public, but people with a "special
interest" might offer an excursion for additional payment.
• What can be compared to an amazing famous masterpiece of true British architecture, the
symbol of one of the most famous cities in our world, and, without any denial, the real
emblem of the British way of life — Big Ben? This impressive clock tower has been counting
the time of the Kingdom for more than one hundred and fifty years.
• It should be mentioned that the modern official name of the clock tower of the Houses of
Parliament is Elizabeth Tower and as it could be seen from the name the tower eternizes one
of greatest British monarchs — Elizabeth II to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee as the
Queen of the UK. Prior to this name that the tower got in 2012 the famous landmark was
called just the Clock Tower.
• The story of Big Ben as we all know it started in 1859 when the Londoners first heard the
sound of the great bell of the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. In fact, Big Ben is the
name of the huge hour bell inside the 96 meter tall tower which was raised according to the
design of Augustus Pugin and became the high point of his architecture genius. But the
landmark did not get the name of its architect. There are two main theories according the
name Big Ben — it could be the nickname of Sir Benjamin Hall, the commisioner of works on
the Houses of Parliament, or Benjamin Caunt, the boxing champion of that time; both of
them were large men and could have a nickname Big Ben. Nevertheless, this short name
appeared to be perfect for the famous landmark.
• At the time of its appearance on the map of the city, the tower was a real wonder of its time
with its massive14 ton bell inside, and the clock itself was the largest in the world. The
impressive neo-gothic tower has four seven-meter clock dials on each side. Despite its
impressive size, Big Ben is a perfect accurate timekeeper — a stack of coins on the big
pendulum regulates the clock.
• You can hear the chimes of Big Ben every hour and since 1923 these chimes have become
 one the special symbols of the coming New Year. The unforgettable Elizabeth Tower or Big
Ben as we all know it is a perfect point to start a wonderful journey over the great city —
London.
Nowadays, Big Ben is a national symbol which delights the eye of any citizen and
tourist. The big clock officially started working on 31 May 1859. It is said that the
monument was named after Sir Benjamin Hall who controlled the work of the bell.
In course of time Big Ben changed its function.
Once it used to be a prison. During the Second
World War in 1941 the main part of the Houses
of Parliament was destroyed but the clock-
tower remained and continued to keep time.
The sound of the clock even became a symbol
of hope during the war.
Recently, for the sixtieth anniversary of the
Queen’s Elizabeth reign the Parliament
decided to give her grace Big Ben as a gift. It
was officially called the “Elizabeth Tower” but
then the name was changed to the “Clock
Tower”. Consequently, today “Big Ben” is only
the name that is spread among public.
None the less, Big Ben is well-known to
everyone, even to those who have never been
to London. The tower is a symbol of London
that is loved both by citizens and tourists.
There are a lot of souvenirs that look like Big
Ben. The Clock Tower is closed for visitors but
it is possible to arrange for a visit to the top of
it.
Thank you for viewsng!