Big Ben, often mistakenly referred to as the clock tower itself, is actually the nickname for the Great Bell housed within the Elizabeth Tower at the north end of the Houses of Parliament in London. The tower, originally known as the Clock Tower, was renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to honor Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. Standing over 96 meters tall, the tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United Kingdom and a symbol of British culture.

The clock, installed in 1859, is one of the largest and most accurate mechanical clocks in the world. Each of the four clock faces is seven meters in diameter, and the minute hands are over four meters long. The clock mechanism itself is a masterpiece of Victorian engineering, designed by Edmund Beckett Denison and Sir George Airy, with the bells cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.

Big Ben, the Great Bell, weighs over 13 tons and is known for its deep, resonant chimes that have marked the passage of time for Londoners and people around the world for over 160 years. The sound of Big Ben is broadcast worldwide, especially during significant events such as New Year's Eve, making it one of the most famous sounds in the world.

The tower has undergone several restorations, the most recent being a major renovation that began in 2017 and included essential repairs to the clock mechanism, the bell, and the tower itself. Despite the restoration work, Big Ben remains a symbol of resilience and continuity, standing as a timeless icon of London.