Maria Nedelcea Visiting London

Big Ben The Houses of Parliament contain the bell Big Ben that strikes on the quarter hour. A light in the clock tower tells when the House of Commons is in session. `Big Ben` - the ornate, gilded clock tower, strictly speaking refers only to the thirteen-ton main bell. It takes its name either from the original Commissioner of Works, Benjamin Hall, or a popular heavyweight boxer of the time, Benjamin Caunt.

Famous Bridges

Tower Bridge

Tower of London Overlooks the river at the eastern boundary of the old city walls. Chiefly famous as a place of imprisonment and execution, it has variously been used as a royal residence, an armoury, a mint, a menagerie, an observatory and - a function it still serves - a safe-deposit box for the Crown Jewels. The Crown Jewels are perhaps the major reason so many visitors flock to the Tower. At least some of the Crown Jewels have been kept in the Tower since 1327, on display since Charles II let the public have a look at them. The oldest piece of regalia is the twelfth-century `Anointing Spoon`; the most famous is the `Imperial State Crown`, sparkling with a 317- carat Indian diamond, called the ‘Kohinoor’, a sapphire from a ring said to have been buried with Edward the Confessor, and assorted emeralds, rubies and pearls. Although you can explore the Tower complex independently, it is a good idea to get your bearings by joining up with one of the guided tours, given every thirty minutes by one of the forty-odd eminently photographable Beefeaters. These ex-servicemen are best known for their scarlet-and-gold Tudor costumes.

The Houses of Parliament is the place where laws governing British life are debated and enacted. The building originates from 1840 after a fire destroyed the previous building. The Gothic style was designed by Sir Charles Barry with help from A. W. Pugin. Parliamentary tradition is steeped in pomp, ceremony and splendors.