Big Ben – the Clock Tower in London

The world-famous clock tower "Big Ben" stands in London, near the Houses of Parliament, where the British government is located. "Big Ben" is actually the name of the largest bell, hanging in the tower, but this name has been popularly applied to the entire building. In 2012 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne, the tower was renamed "Elizabeth Tower". The tower was built in 1858 in brick with a limestone façade. The clock and spire are made of cast iron. Until 1880, the tower housed a prison for members of parliament. They were often imprisoned there, if they refused to recite a religious formula during the oath-taking ceremony. Since 2010 the tower has been open to the public, but only to residents of the United Kingdom. In order to prevent terrorist attacks, foreign visitors are no longer allowed to enter the tower. Despite this restriction, this iconic London landmark remains one of the most popular tourist attractions. The tower clock was mount in 1848 and is the second largest clock in Great Britain. The diameter of each clock face is 7 meters. The hour hands are 2.7 meters long, and the minute hands are 4.3 meters. Under each dial, you can read the Latin inscription: "Domine salvam fac reginam nostram Victoriam primam" ("God save our Queen Victoria I"). To ensure, that the clock works properly, four mechanics, the "Guardians of the Great Clock", are on duty every day. An electric motor starts the clock mechanism three times a week. Traditionally, cent coins are placed on the 299 kg pendulum for precise adjustment. There have been failures, for example, when a flock of starlings slowed down the clock's hands. In 1962, on New Year's Day, the mechanism jammed due to low temperatures, and the new year was announced 10 minutes later. In 2004 the bells fell silent for a week, when a counterweight broke. In 2005 the clock stopped for 90 minutes for unexplained reasons. In addition to Big Ben, there are four other bells, hanging in the tower. They play the "Westminster Bells", a tune, that people around the world associate with the tower. However, it was not chosen for the bells until 1859. Originally composed in 1793 for the clock of Cambridge University Church, it is said to be a two-bar variation of an aria from George Frideric Handel's oratorio “Messiah”. Four notes are played at different lengths at each quarter hour. A descending sequence of one bar is played first. A two-bar melody is heard half an hour later. The three-quarter hour cadence consists of another two-bar melody and the descending sequence of the first quarter hour. Every hour, the two melodies are combined, and then the great bell, Big Ben, rings. Every day at 6:00 p.m., the BBC broadcasts the "Westminster Bells" live on television, starting its news programme. The melody is used for many clocks, doorbells and school bells around the world. The melody was quoted in many songs - both church and rock music.

A rather large model of a large tower, quite complex, well-designed and richly detailed, with a great appearance, intended for modelers of any experience. Only advanced beginners and modelers with little experience are recommended to work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, gluing the model slowly, patiently, carefully and attentively. The model perfectly recreates all the beauty of this building and reveals the perception of beauty of the architects, who built it. Double-side printing was used, where necessary. The assembly of the model is illustrated in a large textual instruction in German and English. The graphical instruction is not large, but very clear, informative, easy to read - presented in beautiful 3D color images. Of course, there is nothing to talk about any color reserves in this publication, but it is completed with 2 sheets of 1 mm thickness A4 format cardboard for thickening the frame details.