Located in the city of London, England, The Big Ben it is the most famous clock in the world and has become one of the most visited places in this important tourist destination; being an emblematic symbol and an obligatory reference when talking about the British capital. But, around this world-renowned clock there are curious facts that you will surely want to know:
1. The name of the English Parliament Tower is not Big Ben: What is actually called «Big Ben» is just the bell of the clock that is located on the highest part of the Parliament Tower. However, the custom of calling the entire tower in this way has remained; Although it was officially called «Clock Tower», until 2012, but today it is called «Elizabeth Tower», by order of Queen Elizabeth, in her own honor, during the jubilee acts.
2. It is a great architectural design before its creator fell victim to madness: The creator of this clock was the architect Pugin, who unfortunately fell into a serious state of depression and anxiety, which little by little led him to the inevitable madness, just after having delivered to the authorities of that time, the definitive plans of his Project; that today have given life to one of the most iconic tourist attractions in London and Europe.
3. The weight of the first bell of Big Ben was not the current one: The actual weight of the first bell placed on this clock is said to have been 16 tons; but it had to be replaced two months after being installed, due to a large crack when it was put into operation. Later, another smaller bell was manufactured that weighs about 13 tons; which is the one that is currently in Big Ben.
4. The constant tilt of the Parliament Tower: Big Ben constantly oscillates, which are caused by the soil conditions where the tower is located, which has been leaning about two centimeters approximately every year; a condition that has been growing since the London Underground tunnels, which are located near this place, are being built. It should be noted that the inclination can already be seen with the naked eye, however, it will take about 400 years for it to be compared with that of the Tower of Pisa in Italy.
5. In the Parliament Tower there is a lighthouse: This lighthouse was installed by order of Queen Victoria, and it is only turned on when the members of the English parliament decide to work during the sunset. At her time, the queen installed it so that she could see it from Buckingham Palace; and she found out that they were meeting discussing issues of interest to her.
6. Big Ben has seen major wars: Despite being located in a strategic place in the city of London, and could be the target of enemy attacks during wars, this great clock never lost its punctuality; although at night it was turned off, especially during World War I and II, so that it would not serve as a guide for German pilots; so it can be said that he was a faithful witness to these disastrous wars, being the object of countless, continuous and ferocious bombardments around him.
7. The silence of Big Ben: During some funerals the bells of this clock were silent, as a sign of respect for the deceased, as in the case of figures such as Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill; moments when they were silent. However, these bells rang 56 times every minute, when King George VI died in the year 1952, due to the fact that he died at 56 years of age.
8. Big Ben’s English punctuality: The exact precision of this watch has always been defended, however, it is convenient to clarify that sometimes repairs have had to be made to adjust its hands, which at times were about seven seconds ahead. It is logical that some external factors also act against this great clock, putting its recognized punctuality at risk, for example, in 1962 when it was 10 minutes late, due to the excessive accumulation of snow on New Year’s Eve, which prevented its correct operation.
9. Access to its interior is reserved for the English: If you are not English, you will not be able to access its interior, even though it is one of the most visited monuments in the city of London and in all of England. In addition, British people who want to access must request a special permit, and book an appointment in advance; to be able to climb 334 steps, since there is no elevator for the public.
10. Because it is called that: The origin of this nickname given to the Clock Tower of the Palace of Westminster is not clear, although it is believed to be a diminutive of Benjamin Hall, who would have been the person who ordered its construction.