150th Big Ben Anniversary 2009

May 31, 2009

Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell. Big Ben is based at the north-eastern end of the Palace of Westminster in London.

The famous Big Ben is the worlds largest four faced chiming clock, in the year 1859 the start of all three elements of the Clock Tower were completed, the Great Clock started on 31 May and the Great Bell’s chimes were heard for the first time on 11 July. It celebrates its 150th this year(2009) and celebratory events are planned.

Some facts about Big Ben

The tower

Dimensions: over 96 metres and 12 metres square
Steps to belfry: 334
Steps to lantern: 393

Amount of stone used: 850 cubic metres
Amount of bricks used: 2600 cubic metres

Number of floors: 11

Clock dials

Number of clock dials: 4
Clock dials diameter: 7m
Length of hour figures: 60cm
Clock dial frames: cast iron
Glass in each clock dial: 312 pieces of pot opal glass