Who built Big Ben and why?

Its name refers to the thirteen plus ton bell housed inside the iconic bell tower which measures 315 feet in height and includes 334 steps from the ground level up to the belfry. Designed by British architect Augustus Pugin, Big Ben was constructed in a neo-Gothic style to serve as the standard clock of the city.

When was Big Ben built and by who?

The tower was designed by Augustus Pugin in a neo-Gothic style. When completed in 1859, its clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world….Big Ben.

Elizabeth Tower
Floor count	11
Design and construction
Architect	Augustus Pugin

How long did it take for Big Ben to be built?

13 years
Designed by Edmund Beckett Denison, the clock took 13 years to build and it was completed in 1859. It has worked continuously since then except for a few months in 1976 when it broke down and had to be fixed. Big Ben is one of England’s best-known landmarks. Some believe it got its name from Sir Benjamin Hall.

Who built Big Ben facts?

Completed in 1856, the tower was designed by architects Charles Barry and Augustus Welby Pugin and took 13 years to build. Its construction required 2600 cubic metres of brick and 850 cubic metres of stone. It began telling time on May 31, 1859.

Why is the Big Ben called the Big Ben?

Why is Big Ben called Big Ben? The first is that is was named after Sir Benjamin Hall, the first commissioner of works, a large man who was known affectionately in the house as “Big Ben”. The second theory is that it was named after a heavyweight boxing champion at that time, Benjamin Caunt.

What is the correct name for Big Ben?

Elizabeth Tower
What is Big Ben? The Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, commonly called Big Ben, are among London’s most iconic landmarks and must-see London attractions. Technically, Big Ben is the name given to the massive bell inside the clock tower, which weighs more than 13 tons (13,760 kg).

How tall is Elizabeth Tower?

315′
Big Ben/Height

Is Big Ben still being restored?

The restoration is expected to be completed in its entirety in 2022, at which point Big Ben’s clock will actually chime and function again. The clock tower, which is 177 years old, has cost $111 million to restore thus far. It’s currently been out of commission for the longest period in its entire history.