BIG BEN

It's the most famous clock in the world, instantly recognisable and a landmark of not just London but for the whole of Great Britain, it's a very good time keeper too, I am writing about Big Ben.


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Big Ben as seen from Westminster Abbey


The Queen Elizabeth Tower or as it is more commonly known Big Ben, is a tall, Gothic clock tower and the most recognisable feature of the Houses Of Parliament in London, the title actually refers to the bell inside the tower not the building itself but over the years has come to symbolise both. It's official title of The Queen Elizabeth Tower was named in honour of Queen Elizabeth ll (the second) on her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, renamed from simply The Clock Tower (how inventive) it was also known as St.Stephens Tower. Completed in 1859 in a Gothic Revival style to the designs of Augustus W.N. Pugin, the clock first started ticking on 31 May 1859, it's other musical attributes however were first heard in stages, it's hourly strikes were first heard on July 11 of that year, while it's quarterly chimes first played several months later on 7 September. The tower stands at 315ft tall.


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The clock face of Big Ben


With it's foundation stone laid on 28th September 1843 Big Ben was part of a grand design that replaced the previous palace that had been largely destroyed by a great fire on the 16th October 1834. Following the fire and in a case of  'what might have been' the reigning monarch of the time King William IV offered to parliament his almost completed new residence, Buckingham Palace, displeased with his new palace he was hoping to pass it on, parliament however declined the offer stating that it was unsuitable for their purpose and so a competition was held to design the new palace.


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The Houses Of Parliament In London

  
It had been decided that the style of the new parliament building should either be Gothic or Elizabethan and following the submission of 97 entries Charles Barry's design for a grand Gothic building was chosen. Charles Barry was more of a classical designer and had received help from Augustus Pugin to help him win the competition it was he who gave the building its spires and elaborate details and interiors. The foundation stone was laid on the 27th August 1840 by the wife of Charles Barry. It had been estimated that construction would take 6 years to complete, these estimations however where a little conservative and by 1860 although most of the construction had been completed it would still take a further decade for the building to be completely finished.
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Victoria Tower as seen from behind Westminster Abbey


While Big Ben is regarded as the crowning feature of the Houses Of Parliament it isn't the most important or the it's tallest, that title goes to Victoria Tower standing at 325ft. Designed as the royal entrance to the new parliament building it is through here that the monarch enters to officially open parliament each year. The tower is topped by an iron flagstaff, the Royal Standard flag is flown when the monarch is present and when not the Union Jack is flown. Completed in 1860 it features an array of decorative details including a statue of the patron saints of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Victoria Tower was named in honour of Queen Victoria and upon completion was the tallest square stone tower in the world.


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The Decorative Facade Of Victoria Tower


Over the middle section of the palace, immediately above the Central Lobby, stands the Central Tower at 300ft it is octagonal in shape. Unlike the other towers Central Tower has a spire and contains the world's largest octagonal Gothic vault without a supporting central pillar.. The tower was originally designed to serve as a ventilating chimney for the stale air and smoke from fireplaces. Due to its position in the centre of the building it was the first to be completed and its construction required considerable engineering skills.


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Central Tower Is Octagonal In Shape


So as you can see, although Big Ben is the most famous feature of the Houses Of Parliament it is by no means its only interesting one.


All images are taken by myself and can be found in my photo stream on Flickr click here 

Location: 9748 Abingdon St, Westminster, London SW1P 3JY, UK

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