The Elizabeth Tower, popularly known as Big Ben, is the most famous icon that represents the city of London. Located in the heart of the capital of Great Britain, London, on the banks of the River Thames is this fabulous jewel and despite the belief of many, its name is not due to the clock or the building, but to a bell.
Yes, just as you read it! The name «Big-Ben» was given to the first bell that the Tower had when it was built in 1857. There are two myths about the origin of the name; some believe that it is due to a nickname given to Benjamin Hall, the one in charge of building the Tower; others say that it is Ben Caun, a strong boxer who helped raise a new bell when it had to be replaced by a crack. However, the origin hardly matters today, even though the Tower changed its name, everyone around the world still refers to it as «Big-Ben».
This Tower has an impressive 96.30 meters high and has a clock on each wall of it, having a total of four; all located at 55 meters high. Each dial measures seven meters in diameter, the hour hand is 2.7 meters long and the minute hand is 4.3 meters long. This clock is one of the most modern and accurate in the world, despite having been built more than a century ago, you can read on its dials, an inscription in Latin «Domine Salvam Fac Reginam Nostram Vicotiam Primam», («God save to our Queen Victoria Primera”, in Spanish) made in honor of the nation’s monarch.
Despite the height of the Tower, it does not have an elevator, so to reach the top floor you must climb a staircase of 334 steps! However, we regret to inform you that this tour is reserved for the British only and even they must apply for a permit to access the interior of it; Therefore, if you had the courage to climb these stairs, you will have to settle for admiring it from the outside and you can have a magnificent view from the famous «London Eye».
Experts have discovered that the Isabel Tower is leaning about 0.9 millimeters every year. Currently, it has a deviation of 46 centimeters and although this can already be noticed by the human eye, many affirm that thousands of years will have to pass before it can reach an inclination like that of the Tower of Pisa in Italy.
If your next destination will be Great Britain, then you must not miss visiting the “Big-Ben” in London. A majestic tower, which unites in one place all the characteristics that make this city unique and wonderful. Visit it, you won’t regret it!