Skip to content

Big Ben Bell Cast (1858)

Introduction

Big Ben Bell Cast, also known as the Bell Tower of the Royal Mint, is a significant landmark located in London, England. The tower was built to house the chimes that toll the hour from Big Ben (now officially known as Elizabeth Tower), which stands at 96 meters tall. This article provides an overview of this iconic structure, including its history, key facts, and notable attractions.

Key Facts

History

  • Construction began in 1843 under the direction of Charles Barry.
  • The tower was designed by architects Augustus Pugin and Edward Blore.
  • It took approximately four years to complete, with a total cost of £250,000 (approximately £22 million today).
  • The tower was officially opened on November 15, 1859.

Architecture

  • The tower is made of granite and measures 96 meters in height.
  • It has four sides: two main sides are identical, and the other two are slightly smaller.
  • The tower's design features a mix of Gothic Revival and Georgian architectural styles.

Notable Contributions

  • Big Ben Bell Cast was the first major public building in London to be designed with cast iron construction.
  • The bell itself is made of 15.5 kg (34 lb) of lead, with a diameter of 0.25 m (1 ft).
  • The tower's distinctive shape and design have become iconic symbols of London.

Historical Context

  • Big Ben Bell Cast was built to house the chimes that toll the hour from Big Ben.
  • The construction of the bell itself took place in 1843, with the chime being rung on November 15, 1859.
  • During the Victorian era, the tower underwent significant renovations and expansions.

Significant Contributions

Architectural Innovations

  • Big Ben Bell Cast was a pioneering example of cast iron architecture.
  • The use of cast iron allowed for lighter construction while maintaining durability.

Engineering Achievements

  • The tower's height and design enabled it to be built using new technologies, such as steam power and mechanical elevators.

Notable Attractions

London Eye

  • Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, the London Eye is a large Ferris wheel that offers panoramic views of the city.
  • Completed in 2000, it stands at 135 meters (443 ft) tall.

The British Museum

  • One of the world's greatest museums, the British Museum houses over

Metadata:

  • Model: llama-3.2-1b-instruct
  • Generation time: 2024-11-02 15:06:40
  • Keywords: Big Ben Bell Cast (1858), wiki, history, attractions, facts
  • URL: https://worldbestplaces.com/places/big_ben_bell_cast_(1858)