
The new Parliament was built in a Neo-gothic style. The Elizabeth Tower (previously called the Clock Tower) named in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II in her Diamond Jubilee year - was raised as a part of Charles Barry's design for a new palace, after the old Palace of Westminster was largely destroyed by fire on the night of 16 October 1834. The tower was completed in 1858 and has become one of the most prominent symbols of both London and England, often in the establishing shot of films set in the city. It celebrated its 150th anniversary on, during which celebratory events took place. Elizabeth Tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest free-standing clock tower. With a few exceptions, such as New Year's Eve and Remembrance Sunday, the bells remained silent.Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London, and often extended to refer to the clock and the clock tower, officially named Elizabeth Tower, as well. Modifications have included adding a lift, re-glazing and repainting the clock dials, and upgrading lighting and repairing roof tiles among other improvements. On 21 August 2017, a four-year schedule of renovation works began on the tower. The clock tower has been part of a Grade I listed building since 1970 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. It is one of the most prominent symbols of the United Kingdom and parliamentary democracy, and it is often used in the establishing shot of films set in London. The tower is a British cultural icon recognised all over the world. The clock uses its original Victorian mechanism, but an electric motor can be used as a backup. Four quarter bells chime at 15, 30 and 45 minutes past the hour and just before Big Ben tolls on the hour.

The origin of the bell's nickname is open to question it may be named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw its installation, or heavyweight boxing champion Benjamin Caunt. It was the largest bell in the United Kingdom for 23 years.

īig Ben is the largest of the tower's five bells and weighs 13.5 long tons (13.7 tonnes 15.1 short tons ).

On, celebrations were held to mark the tower's 150th anniversary. All four nations of the UK are represented on the tower on shields featuring a rose for England, thistle for Scotland, shamrock for Ireland, and leek for Wales. Dials of the clock are 22.5 feet (6.9 m) in diameter. Its base is square, measuring 40 feet (12 m) on each side. The tower stands 316 feet (96 m) tall, and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps.

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