Big Ben Turns Soundless On Elizabeth Tower

Big Ben has been turned silent on Monday and the clock will remain silent for another four years too due to major repair work. The 118 decible bongs are said to be too loud for the workers.

The 13 ton bell has been chiming on the Elizabeth Tower for past 157 years. It is one of the most famous sites of British capital London and of course a famous sound too.

Until now such major work has not been done, but the Elizabeth Tower is in pressing need of repair, which will cost $3.8 million.

The Big Ben was built in 1859 and has five bells. The largest bell chime every hour while the rest four bells bong the quarter hour.

Steve Jaggs, keeper of the Great Clock, said the tower is not unstable, but something need to be done to save it from getting worse.

The tower is named after Queen Elizabeth but is very commonly known as Big Ben. It is an important landmark of London. It is also the heartbeat of London, if believed to British newspaper columnist Quentin Letts. He said, “This is the marrow in our bones.”

Letts confirmed the sound will be heard at midnight on New Year’s Eve even while the renovation work will be in process.

During the World War II the Elizabeth Tower survived German bombing raids.