Page posted: July 2007

BIG BEN
 

The Clock Tower housing Big Ben is the most famous feature of the London landscape. It stands 320 feet high on the banks of the Thames River. There aren't many clocks of this size in the world, nor are there any that can keep time as accurately.



Big Ben. Westminster, London. Picture taken in 21st July 2007.



Big Ben & The Houses of Parliament. Westminster, London. Picture taken in 21st July 2007.


The name Big Ben actually refers not to the clock-tower itself, but to the thirteen ton bell hung within. The bell was named after the first commissioner of works, Sir Benjamin Hall.

History
Big Ben is part of the Palace of Westminster, on grounds occupied since the Saxons ruled the area. The oldest buildings in the area date back to 1097. The presence of royal grounds dates back to 1050 when Edward the Confessor built a royal palace on the site. For the next 500 years, Westminster was the residence of the royal monarchs. After a fire prompted Henry VIII to move out of the building to the Palace of Whitehall, the building remained in use as both a palace and the home of the English parliament. It has remained like this since January 20, 1265. A raging fire in 1834 destroyed many of the ancient buildings, but they were replaced in 1870 with a new set of constructed buildings that still stand today. It was during the rebuilding process that Big Ben came into existence in the massive clock tower.

Big Ben Facts and Figures:
How Big is Ben? 9'-0" diameter, 7'-6" high, and weighing in at 13 tons 10 cwts 3 qtrs 15lbs (13,760 Kg)
When? Big Ben was cast on Saturday 10th April 1858, with the first chime rung in situ on 31st May 1859.
Where? Whitechapel Bell Foundry, London.
By Whom? George Mears, then the master bellfounder and owner of the foundry.