Big Ben in London (England) - clock tower

Where is located Big Ben?

Address of Big Ben is London, England
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When was built Big Ben?

Built date of Big Ben is 1858 - completion of construction
V.1859 - starting the clock

Facts, informations and history of Big Ben

Big Ben is actually the name of a 13 ton bell, inside the tower, not the tower itself.

Big Ben - the symbol of Great Britain, is one of the two towers forming the building of the British Parliament. The tower was built after, in 1834, the fire consumed part of the parliament.

The winner of the building design competition was Charles Barry. He left the Renaissance style and combined it with the neo-Gothic elements of Pugin.

The bell was cast in Whitechapel. It was the second giant bell because the first one showed a crack when trying to run.

The largest bell in the UK has four 7.5-meter discs, and tips 4.25 m long made, for weight reduction, as a thin-walled cast.

On July 11, 1859, Londoners could hear a sound of the bell for the first time.

The name Big Ben probably came from the name of Sir Benjamin Hall, the main work commissar in 1858, when the bell was hung. Some say the name comes from boxer Ben Caunt.

In 1949, the clock was delayed by 41 minutes, after a flock of birds sat on a pointer showing the minutes.

In 1962, the clock struck the New Year ten minutes too late, due to the large accumulation of snow on its tips.

The tower of Saint Stephen shines with light in the sky, on nights when the parliament deliberates.

Since the time of launch, the clock gives an almost exact time, and every hour it strikes. Its low tones are broadcast on a BBC radio every day.

Architect of Big Ben

How many meters have Big Ben?

Height of Big Ben is 96 meters (316 feet)

Construction/building type

Building Big Ben is of type Clock tower

Architectural style

Architectural style of Big Ben is Renaissance, Neogotyk

What material is the building made of?

Big Ben is made of the following materials: Cut stone

Other names

The building is also known by other common names or in the original language, i.e. Parliament Clock Tower, Saint Stephen's Tower

Is the building on the UNESCO World Heritage List?

Official website

The official website of the building, where up-to-date information can be found, is http://www.parliament.uk/bigben