It looks fantastic, especially at night!
Just as Paris has its tower Eiffle'a, as London has its Big Ben.
It is the largest clock in Britain. Is equipped with four discs (released in the four corners of the world) with a diameter of 7.5 m each, and the indication of the length of 4.25 meters (longer tip) and 2.74 meters (9 feet shorter). To reduce the weight of the clock, instructions executed as thin-walled casting. The minute hand is 14 feet long (4.25 meters), and each number on the disc is 2 feet height (0.6 m). Clock face is set in a steel frame with a diameter of 7.5 m maintenance 312 pieces of opalescent glass. Is it not impressive in size to the year 1858?

Under each shield is the inscription (in Latin): "DOMINE FAC SALVE REGINA VICTORIA NOSTRA PRIMA", as in any translation into Polish means "GOD PROTECT OUR FIRST QUEEN VIKTORIA.
Big Ben is actually the name of 13 ton bell located inside the tower of St Stephen's Tower, not the tower. Once known as Big Ben was determined he placed in the bell tower of St. Stephen, also called the Clock Tower, currently the name refers to both the bell, clock, and the same tower. The tower, on which there is a bell and clocks is one of three towers which are part of the British parliament building in the Palace of Westminster in London.

The bell is made of brass (bronze is an alloy of copper with tin, zinc and lead, sometimes classified as brown). Contains more tin (11%) than brown tin (9%). Content of zinc and lead are properly within the limits of 2-7% and 2-6%. Is resistant to corrosion and abrasion. Known since antiquity, was used for making weapons secant, like other copper alloys, given that it is harder than iron. In the Middle Ages cast its bells (hence the name of a bronze bell) and in later times the gun. This common use of the alloy caused the penetration of many bells of arms.

On the night of October 16, 1834 in the British Parliament caught fire and the fire consumed part of the building. Then preserved only 900-year-old Westminster Hall and Chapel of the St. Stephen. There was a contest for Parliament reconstruction.
The winner of the competition for the design of buildings was Charles Barry. He went out of Renaissance style, and merged it with the neo-Gothic elements of Augustus Pugin, who was co-founder of the project. Placed on the clock tower was designed by Augustus Pugin.
As a result, Big Ben is a combination of two architectural styles: Neo-Gothic and Renaissance styles.
In 1858, there was the completion of reconstruction - the whole works were directed by Sir Benjamin Hall. The final opening took place on May 31 1859, when officially the clock was run.

The exact origin of the name Big Ben is now inextricable riddle, which leads to speculation. Probably the name comes from Sir Benjamin Hall, chief commissioner of works in 1858, when the bell hung. Some say that the name comes from the time the famous heavyweight boxer Ben Caunta, which in those years was a gold medalist representing Great Britain.

The tower, on which there is a bell has a height of 96.3 meters (316 feet). The object is made of hewn stone, and most of the castles and palaces built in those days in the UK. The tower, on which the Big Ben has dimensions 15 x 15 meters (that is 49x49 feet). The estimated weight of the whole tower is 9.533 tonnes. All four clock dials are placed exactly 55 meters above ground.
In 2009, the BIG BEN celebrated his 150 birthday.

The bell was cast in Whitechapel. It was the second huge bell, because on the first one crack appeared when they tried to run.
Other sources say that Big Ben was the third, not second bell, which is installed in the tower. The first (as written above) had a scratch, and the second (which is not mentioned) apparently broke during transport or due to fitting too heavy hammer (after two months of the bell broke, and only three years after it listed on the lighter). Big Ben, hanging out, is the third. The current bell also has a slight fracture.
Since its launch on 11 July 1859. clock gives almost the exact time and hourly strikes modeled on the melody of the bell, St Mary's Church (University Church) in Cambridge. This is a variation on a few bars of 'Messiah' Handel.

About midnight on 31 December 1923 the sound of the clock could be heard for the first time in a BBC radio. The new bell, whose sound we hear today, sounded the first time July 11, 1859.

Clock during its existence, only twice in late:
1) in 1949 the clock was delayed by 41 minutes after the flock of birds sat on the tip showing the minutes.
2) In 1962 New Year's clock struck ten minutes late, due to the large accumulation of snow on its guidance.
Vulnerability:
1) In 1972 there was the first and only fault on the metal part of the mechanism responsible for shock ow bells. As a result of the failure of Big Ben silent since 5 August 1975 until 9 May 1977.
2) In 1997 the clock stopped twice in the 27 May 2007 the clock stopped ticking for 90 minutes.

Repairs:
1) In 2007, the UK's most famous bell Big Ben fell silent due to system maintenance. After 7 weeks of break the sound of a gigantic bell sounded again on the center of London. At that time, workers cleaned the mending and counting mechanism for almost 150 years. The whole time he worked an alternative electronic system by which the clock showed the correct time.
Big Ben is strictly regulated by the pile of coins lying on a giant pendulum.


During World War II in the Palace of Westminster was struck by a German bomb that destroyed the "House of Commons," and caused the destruction of the western face of a clock.
It is even necessarily need to go to London, even after it to see Big Ben in his own eyes. Standing under the tower, you need to lift up his head high up to see him. The clock really does feel like a man under him will feel a little .. Very easy to reach because it can be seen from many parts of London. But the most impressive New Year's Eve! When a crowd of people around the world stand under Big Ben and count down seconds staring on the clock with their own sight!

Parliament and Big Ben - all especially at dawn creates a view, which any postcards are unable to give. And when parliament meets at night, the tower of Saint Stephen parliament light shines a light into the sky. Special light shields on the clock is lit when the parliament meets. Really amazing feeling!

When you will have been already in London, remember - the best means of transport is the Metro (Underground) stops at the same clock. Nearest Underground: Westminster (Circle, District, Jubilee)
Foreign visitors can visit the parliament only in the summer when it paid trips are organized.
A very BIG BEN can be found at:
Palace of Westminster
Parliament Square Westminster, St. Margaret Street.
Westminster
London
SW1A 0AA
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7219 4272
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7219 5839

To the Palace you can enter from St. Stephen's Hall, however, the queue for the visitors are quite long, but waiting is really worth.

Regards - Team aling.pl