A fire occurred on October 16, 1834 which destroy Westminster palace. An architect named Charles Barry designed a building that will be used to rebuild the Westminster palace. Westminster palace is a gathering place of the Parliament of Great Britain, Westminster is the political center in England. Simultaneously with the rebuilt of Westminster palace, there is a construction of tower which is done by an architect named Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. Pugin trusted by Barry to build a tower with a tower height of 96.3 meters above the square foundation is measuring of 225 square meters. Westminster palace tower has been listed as a world heritage by UNESCO.
Actually, Big Ben is not referring to the clock tower which has very large size, but refers to the giant bell that is located within the tower. Big Ben clock tower is often called the Elizabeth Tower to honor of the Queen. There are two opinions that mention the origin name of Big Ben as a nickname for the clock tower in London. First opinion, the name of Big Ben taken from the first commissioner for works that is Sir Benjamin Hall, whose name is Inscribed on the bell. According to the story, he has a big body so this building called by "Big Ben" to honor his works. The second opinion, the name of Big Ben is taken from the name of a boxer who has big body named Benjamin Caunt. Edward John Dent, Edmund Beckett Denison, and George Airy are several people of the key figures behind the success of the Big Ben clock tower which has become a landmark in London. A giant bell inside the tower is the work of the Whitechapel Bell Foundry. The bell rang for the first time in 1859.
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| Elizabeth tower as a London landmark |
Big Ben clock tower known as a clock that has a very precise timing accuracy. Big Ben is one reason tourists from various countries to visit London. There are 5 bells in the Elizabeth tower, four bells will ring every 15 minutes and the greatest bell will ring every hour. Elizabeth tower has 334 pieces of stairs that will lead visitors to get to the top and there is no lift. Unfortunately, the inside of Elizabeth tower may only seen for someone have United Kingdom nationality. However, visitors are not a nationality United Kingdom still able to enjoy the beauty Elizabeth tower from the outside along with other grand buildings such as Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Tower of London and the Thames river are legendary. Elizabeth tower complex is located in the House of Parliament. Visitors can use the subway from the Circle, District and Jubilee towards Westminster station. Elizabeth tower is very close to Westminster station.
