Big Ben is one of the United Kingdom’s most famous landmarks and the embodiment of its iconic architecture. Located in the Palace of Westminster, London, Big Ben was designed by Augustus Pugin and completed in 1859 with the Great Bell as the largest and most accurate four-faced clock in the world. Standing at 316 feet tall, Big Ben has become an icon for many as the site of the first clock and tower imposing enough to be seen from miles around. The 53 shields along its exterior feature floral symbols of the UK’s four countries, making it a symbol of unity, democracy and progress. Despite being silenced for much of 2021 due to conservation works, Big Ben still stands tall as one of London’s most recognizable monuments.