Big Ben: Difference between revisions

The tower was designed by [[Augustus Pugin]] in a neo-gothic style. When completed in 1859, it was, says [[horologist]] Ian Westworth, "the prince of timekeepers: the biggest, most accurate four-faced striking and [[Chime (bell instrument)|chiming]] clock in the world".<ref>{{cite news|title=Why is Big Ben falling silent?|url=http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160704-the-big-ben-renovation-and-how-the-clock-works|agency=BBC|date=8 November 2016}}</ref> It stands {{convert|315|ft|m|0}} tall, and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps. Its base is square, measuring {{convert|39|ft|m|0}} on each side. Dials of the clock are {{convert|23|ft|m|1}} in diameter. On 31 May 2009, celebrations were held to mark the tower's 150th anniversary.<ref name="parliament.uk">{{cite web| url=http://www.bigben.parliament.uk/ixbin/indexplus?record=ART16| title=Join in the anniversary celebrations| publisher=UK Parliament}}{{Dead link|date=November 2017}}</ref>

 

 

A [[Culture of the United Kingdom|British cultural icon]], recognised all over the world, the tower is one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom and parliamentary democracy,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/426|title=Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey including Saint Margaret’s Church|publisher=UNESCO}}</ref> and it is often used in the [[establishing shot]] of films set in London.<ref>{{cite news|title=Big Ben in films and popular culture|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/10525651/Big-Ben-in-films-and-popular-culture.html|agency=The Telegraph|date=8 November 2016}}</ref> The clock tower has been part of a [[Grade I listed building]] since 1970 and a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]] since 1987.