Discover Big Ben - Historical symbol of England
More than just a famous sightseeing spot in London, Big Ben and its corresponding clock tower are not simply part of a scenic spot, but are also iconic architectural works full of historical value. History for England. Let's start the journey to discover this wonderful project through the article below!
1. What do you know about Big Ben clock?
Located close to the banks of the Thames River to the northeast of the Westminster Parliament Building, Big Ben clock tower has long been a typical symbol of London, England. This tower, originally known as the Elizabeth Tower (also known as the Westminster Clock Tower or Big Ben), was created within an architectural context designed by Charles Barry, after the Westminster burned to the ground in October 1834.
Big Ben clock tower was once known as "The world's largest four-sided clock", thanks to its four large clock faces. However, over time, the Allen-Bradley clock tower in Milwaukee, Wisconsin took this record. Notably, despite its size, the Allen-Bradley clock tower does not have a bell. Therefore, to this day, Big Ben still holds the title of "The world's largest four-faced clock with bells".
However, in June 2012, after the parade commemorating the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's reign, information about changing the name of the Big Ben clock tower to Elizabeth Tower was announced. Rather than simply being a British cultural symbol, this tower also represents the country's stability, security and democratic spirit. Grade I listed since 1970 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, the clock tower is an important part of the global cultural landscape.
2. Overview of the architectural features of Big Ben clock
Big Ben clock tower is an important component of the Westminster parliament building in London. Designed in a distinctive Gothic architectural style, the tower is built from brick covered with remarkable limestone, a local stone of southern England.
With a height of up to 96.3 meters, the Big Ben clock tower is divided into two main parts: the first 61 meters forms the clock tower area and the remaining 35.3 meter high part is a cast iron spire in the Victorian Gothic style. The total weight of the tower is estimated to be about 9,553 tons.
The centerpiece of the tower is the Big Ben clock, located 55 meters above the ground. Built with four faces and housed in a 7 meter square, the clock has 576 pieces of white glass. The structure and dial inside the clock were designed by Augustus Pugin.
The characteristic of the Big Ben clock is the 4.3 meter long minute hand and the 2.74 meter long hour hand, made of alloy. On the four watch faces, there are delicate contours that form the bezel. Along the bottom of the frame of each watch face, the words “DOMINE SALVAM FAC REGINAM NOSTRAM VICTORIAM PRIMAM” are engraved with the meaning “May God protect our Queen Victoria”.
Big Ben operates on the same principle as a pendulum clock, ringing every 15 minutes and the pendulum oscillating every 2 seconds. Despite being built centuries ago and going through harsh periods in the past, the accuracy of Big Ben is still maintained extremely high.
3 The best time to travel to Big Ben
If you want to enjoy an exciting experience at the Big Ben clock tower, the best time of day to visit is at noon. At this moment, you have the opportunity to hear unique sounds as the bell echoes from the tower, this usually happens when the bell rings 12 times in a row, creating an interesting and impressive atmosphere.
The ideal time to travel to Big Ben (also known as Elizabeth Tower) in London, England, is usually spring (from March to May) and autumn (from September to November). During this period, the weather in London is usually quite mild and comfortable, not too hot or cold.
Note that choosing the time also depends on your preferences and purpose of travel. Summer (June to August) in London is usually warmer, but can also be more touristy and crowded. While winter (December to February) is colder and has less daylight, London's winter landscape also has its own uniqueness.
4 Mysterious and interesting stories about Big Ben clock
Although it is a unique architectural symbol and famous tourist destination of both London and the UK, the Big Ben clock tower still has many interesting mysteries that many tourists may have overlooked:
The name Big Ben actually only refers to the name of the largest bell inside the tower, not the official name of the entire structure.
Due to the influence of weather and environmental factors, Big Ben tower is currently tilted at an angle of 0.26 degrees in the Northwest direction.
Although originally designed with stairs, the Big Ben clock tower has been equipped with an elevator, which both saves time and is more convenient for maintenance.
Inside the tower, there are a total of 334 stairs, forming a connecting path from the bottom to the top of the tower.
Since its completion in 1859, Big Ben has existed continuously for 164 years and continues to stand today.
The ringing bell from Big Ben tower is repeated every 15 minutes, highlighting the right time moments of the day.
A professional cleaning and maintenance team usually performs this work every year, ensuring the tower always maintains its beauty and functions well.
As early as 1924, the bell of Big Ben was used by the BBC as a musical signal to mark the time of program announcements.
Big Ben clock tower witnessed fierce wars in the past, especially in conflicts with the German army, becoming a part of Britain's majestic history.
