Big Ben Unveils a New Look in 2022

London’s Big Ben has a new look for the new year.

Formally known as Elizabeth Tower, this London landmark has been covered in scaffolding for years as it undergoes repairs. Save for special occasions, its famous bell has been silenced since 2017 – an extremely rare occurrence in its 162-year history. However, progress is being made.

In late November, one of the clock’s faces was revealed, showcasing new blown-glass panels and intricately restored details. The clock features Prussian blue hands and numbers instead of the previous black, providing a historically accurate nod to the building’s original Victorian color scheme.

It’s become a New Year’s Eve tradition for people to gather on the bridges of the Thames as Big Ben rings out. Consequently, all four of the clock’s dials should be visible again by December 31, when the clock will be struck for the last time using its temporary electric mechanism, according to a UK Parliament announcement.

“By New Year, people will see a significant change; they’ll start to get their tower back,” project manager Nicholas Sturge told Reuters. “The roofs will be fully visible along with the four clock faces.” The government anticipates the clock will be gravity-powered again by spring, at which point the bell will resume its normal schedule as well.

Since 2017, a dedicated team of architects, clockmakers, engineers, and traditionally trained craftspeople have been working on this 19th-century building, restoring details and addressing structural issues such as deteriorating masonry and corroding metalwork.

Situated at the Houses of Parliament (technically called the Palace of Westminster), Big Ben is believed to be named after Benjamin Hall, the Chief Commissioner of Works when the bell began chiming in 1859. As an iconic London sight, it was the 8th-most visited paid attraction in the capital in 2020, according to the city’s tourism office.