Big Ben

Big Ben, one of the most iconic symbols of London and Britain, has officially been known as Elizabeth Tower since 2012, in honor of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. The tower houses the Great Clock of Westminster and its famous bell, Big Ben, which technically is the name attributed only to the largest bell. The history of Big Ben begins in the context of the reconstruction of the Palace of Westminster after a devastating fire in 1834. Architect Charles Barry won the commission to design the new palace in neo-Gothic style, including an imposing clock tower in his design. To realize this vision, Barry collaborated with Augustus Pugin, who contributed his talent for Gothic details, creating a design that is admired worldwide today. Construction of the tower began in 1843, but the realization of the complex clock mechanism took several years. The clock project was entrusted to Edmund Beckett Denison, who designed an innovative double gravity escapement mechanism, ensuring unprecedented accuracy. The first Big Ben, the original bell, was cast in 1856 but cracked during testing. A second bell, the one currently in use, was cast by George Mears at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry in 1858. Big Ben first chimed on July 11, 1859, and since then, its chime has become a distinctive element of London’s sound landscape. The four clock faces, each with a diameter of 7 meters, are illuminated from the inside with opal glass, making them visible from afar even at night. Over the years, Big Ben has become a symbol of resilience and continuity for the United Kingdom. During World War II, its bell and smaller bells continued to ring even during bombings, offering a sense of normalcy and hope to Londoners. Its bells have been used to mark important national events, including New Year’s and Remembrance Day. The tower has undergone various restoration interventions, the most recent and significant of which began in 2017 and was completed in 2021. This project included the restoration of the masonry, the repair of the clock hands and mechanism, and the installation of an elevator to improve accessibility. Low-energy LED lights were also installed to illuminate the clock faces.