One interesting story associated with Westminster is the legend of the Westminster Clock Tower, commonly known as Big Ben. The clock tower was completed in 1858 and became an iconic symbol of London, but it wasn’t until 1859 that the bell was installed.
The story goes that the original bell for the clock tower cracked during testing, much to the dismay of the officials. In a stroke of luck, however, they discovered a solution in the most unexpected of places – a local foundry.
The Whitechapel Bell Foundry had been commissioned to create a new bell for the clock tower, but due to a mix-up in the measurements, the bell turned out to be too large. Rather than discard the bell, the foundry workers came up with a creative solution – they turned it sideways and chiseled a square-shaped piece out of the bottom. This reduced the weight of the bell and, miraculously, it produced the perfect tone.
The bell was installed in the tower and became known as „Big Ben” after Sir Benjamin Hall, the First Commissioner of Works at the time, who oversaw the bell’s installation. The nickname caught on and eventually came to refer to the entire clock tower.
Today, Big Ben is one of the most recognizable landmarks in London and is a beloved symbol of British culture. The story of its creation is a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the people who built it, and it continues to inspire awe and wonder in visitors from around the world.
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