Big Ben

A fire erupted in the Palace of Westminster in 1834. An architect, traveling from Brighton to London, saw the fire from a distance. Eventualy this architect would design the new bell-tower. After years of building, in which the clocks where a big challange to build, the 'Big Ben' would finally be ready in 1859.

Allthough it has become customary through the years, it is not right to call the whole tower Big Ben. Originally Big Ben was the name for the huge 13 ton's bell hanging in the tower. It has been named after the patron of the Bell-tower: Sir Benjamin Hall. Because of his nickname, Big Ben, the bell-tower received the same name.

Big Ben's reputation became increasingly greater after years of loyal service. The BBC started to broadcast the bells in 1923. In the second World War the sounding of the bells became a daily ritual, but most of all: hope.
In a miraculous way the Big Ben has survived the Second World War, even though a German bomb striked very close to the tower.

Sadly enough the Big Ben can't be visited on the inside today, but luckily the outside is. This very special bell-tower has grown to be a world-famous landmark and certainly worth a visit.