Big Ben is the national symbol of the British unity and of the Westminster
Palace. Big Ben is the name of the bell originally called "The
Great Bell ." It was named so by Benjamin Hall, the engineer who built it.
In 1856 , the first bell was installed but a fire devastated a part of
the building of parliament and the bell cracked. A renovation was
then provided . In 1859, a new bell was installed but has a very
distinctive tone due to a crack, two months after installation. The
air Carrillon is also called " Westminster Quarters ".
The building faces the River Thames, between Westminster Bridge
and Westminster Abbey . When the parliament is inside a British flag
floats above the clock and a light turns on .
Big ben is illuminated at night. It is forbidden to tourists ; only residents
have the right to raise its 335 steps. There is also a small clock
tower, close to Victoria Station, called "Little Ben".
