The bongs of the iconic Great Bell, popularly called Big Ben, inside the clock tower above the House of Parliament in London, fell silent on August 21, 2017, and will resume four years later in 2021. The reason? The Elizabeth Tower, home to the bells that make up the great clock has been undergoing a programme of restoration work.
Big Ben is the name of the bell inside the tower (St. Stephen’s Tower, renamed Elizabeth Tower in 2012), and not the building or the clock (simply known as the Great Clock) itself.
The chimes were last silent in 2007 during maintenance, and before that from 1983-1985 during a period of refurbishment.
Londoners needn’t worry though; Big Ben will continue to chime for “important national events” such as New Year’s Eve and Remembrance Sunday.
Picture Credit : Google