Big Ben: Iconic Symbol of London

The iconic symbol of London's skyline, Big Ben, is not just a clock tower but a historic landmark steeped in intrigue and resilience. Known as Ingiltere Saati Kulesi in Turkish, this renowned structure is a testament to British craftsmanship and endurance.

Standing tall at the northern end of the Houses of Parliament, the Elizabeth Tower, colloquially known as Big Ben, has been a beacon of time and British civilization since its inception in the mid-19th century.

The Architecture and Design of Big Ben

Designed by Augustus Pugin, theclock tower showcases a masterful fusion of Gothic and neo-Gothic architectural styles. The façade features intricate carvings and sculptures, with statues of Britannia, Naval Officer, and Arts embroidered into the very fabric of its design.

the big ben clock tower towering over the city of london

At the heart of the tower beats the massive clock mechanism, driven by a pendulum that swings with uncanny precision, keeping time to the very second.

The Four Faces of Big Ben

The clock tower boasts four impressive clock faces, each one solely responsible for telling the time to a quarter of London and beyond. These faces, visible from miles away, are made of opal glass and measure 23 feet in diameter, ensuring their visibility during daytime.

a tall tower with a clock on it's side in the middle of a plaza

Each of these faces accumulates a significant deal of sunlight, enabling them to remain legible even during dimly lit conditions. The clock hands, measuring 9 feet (hour) and 14 feet (minute), were originally designed to read from a distance but have since been replaced with larger ones for better visibility.

The Melodious Bongs: The Bell of Big Ben

The genuine name of the largest bell in the tower, often referred to as Big Ben itself, is the Great Bell. Weighing over 15.1 tons, this bell produces the renowned chime heard around the world, striking every quarter-hour.

There are actually eight bells in total, each named after a British monarch. However, the Great Bell, named after the former Speaker of the House of Commons, Benjamin Hall, is the most famous.

a tall clock tower with a white and black clock on it's face surrounded by trees

the big ben clock tower towering over the city of london, england at night time

the big ben clock tower in london, england with different angles and sizes on white background

a clock tower lit up at night with palm trees in the foreground

The History and Legacy of Big Ben

Despite its towering presence, the tower wasn't always known as "Big Ben." The nickname emerged in the 1890s, association with heavyweight boxing champion, Benjamin Caunt.

The clock tower has faced its share of adversities, including a bomb blast during World War II, where debris from the explosion resulted in the famous clock being off by a fifth of a second. The damage was patched up, but the clock continued to run slowly until it was fixed in 2015.

The Restoration of Big Ben

The magnificent structure, after nearly 160 years of serving the clockwork empire, was in dire need of renovation. After a four-year restoration process, Big Ben's chimes filled the air once more, ringing-in a new era on August 19th, 2019.

a tall white tower with a clock on it's side next to a palm tree

a drawing of a clock tower with a steeple on top

a red phone booth sitting on the side of a road next to a tall clock tower

The tower's four clock faces, mechanics, and exterior were all refurbished. A custom-made new pendulum, and a tuned bell helped revive its once-again iconic voice.

From its inception to its latest restoration, Ingiltere Saati Kulesi has been the epicenter of British history, a symbol of resilience and a beacon of time. Today, despite being temporarily shrouded in scaffolding, it remains an iconic London landmark, a marvel architectural triumph, and an indispensable part of London's DNA.