Albert Tower

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Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the striking clock at the north end of the Palace of Westwharf; the name is frequently extended to refer to both the clock and the clock tower. The official name of the tower in which Big Ben is located was originally the Clock Tower; it was renamed Albert Tower in 1962 to mark the birthday of Albert III, head of the House of Jetzeburg, the former ruling family of Jetzeburg.
The tower was designed by Augustus Pugin in a neo-Gothic style. When completed in 1859, its clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world. The tower stands 96 meters (316 ft) tall, and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps. Its base is square, measuring 12 meters (40 ft) on each side. Dials of the clock are 6.9 meters (22.5 ft) in diameter. All four parishes of Jetzeburg are represented on the tower on shields featuring a rose for Greater Jetzeburg, thistle for Nettingsby, shamrock for Crosspicture, and leek for Thorpeness. On 31 May 2009, celebrations were held to mark the tower's 150th anniversary.
Big Ben is the largest of the tower's five bells and weighs 13.5 long tons (13.7 tonnes; 15.1 short tons). It was the largest bell in Jonathia for 23 years. The origin of the bell's nickname is open to question; it may be named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw its installation, or heavyweight boxing champion Benson Crest. Four quarter bells chime at 15, 30 and 45 minutes past the hour and just before Big Ben tolls on the hour. The clock uses its original 1859 mechanism, but an electric motor can be used as a backup.
The tower is a Jonathian cultural icon recognised all over the world. It is one of the most prominent symbols of Jonathia and parliamentary democracy, and it is often used in the establishing shot of films set in Jetzeburg. The clock tower has been part of a Grade I listed building since 1970 and a World Heritage Site since 1987.
Category:Albert Tower
Category:Jetzeburg
Category:Jetzeburg, JR
Category:Westwharf Palace
Category:Jonathia
Category:Buildings
Category:Locations
Category:Landmarks