Big Ben, one of London’s most famous landmarks, celebrates its 165th anniversary on Thursday, July 11. While many people call the clock tower at the Palace of Westminster “Big Ben,” this name actually refers to the giant bell inside the tower.
Big Ben first struck the hour on July 11, 1859. The Tower, completed in 1859, houses the Great Clock, which started on May 31 of that year. To mark this special anniversary, let’s explore more about Big Ben and its clock tower.
History of Big Ben
In 1834, a massive fire destroyed much of the Palace of Westminster, home to the House of Lords and House of Commons. During the rebuilding, a clock tower was added. The clock’s design was chosen in a competition in 1846, won by Edmund Beckett Denison. Construction began in 1843 and was completed in 1859, taking 16 years to finish.
Why is it Called Big Ben?
The bell’s official name is the Great Bell of Westminster, but it is popularly known as Big Ben. This nickname is believed to come from Sir Benjamin Hall, the Chief Commissioner of Works during the bell’s installation. Sir Benjamin was tall, which might explain the “Big” part. Another theory is that it was named after a famous boxer, Ben Caunt, also nicknamed Big Ben, known for his booming voice.
Big Ben’s Tower
The Elizabeth Tower, where Big Ben is located, stands at 96 meters tall, about the height of 21 stacked London buses. It takes 292 steps to reach the clock faces and 334 steps to the Belfry, where the Great Bell hangs. Despite its impressive height, Big Ben is not the tallest clock tower in the world. That title belongs to the Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which is 601 meters tall. Big Ben is the third tallest clock tower in the UK.
Repairing Big Ben
Maintaining Big Ben requires a lot of work. In 2017, the most extensive conservation effort in its history began, lasting five years. During this time, the tower was covered in scaffolding, and the bell’s famous bongs were silent. The clock face was cleaned, revealing blue dials. However, one piece of damage from 1858 remains. The bell was struck with a hammer that was too heavy, causing a big crack. A lighter hammer was used afterward, but the bell was never replaced.
