Famous Clocks Keep Time Around The World

Possibly one of the most famous clocks in the world is often called by the wrong name. Located in the House of Parliament building in Westminster, London, England, this hug clock is often called Big Ben. The name, however actually refers to the bell inside the turret clock tower located at the top of the tower. With a minute hand that is 14-feet long, it remains one of the famous clocks in the world and has been featured in songs, movies and numerous pictures.

The Clock of the Long Now, to be built near Ely, Nevada has a prototype that begin chiming at the beginning of the third millennium on January 1, 2000. the clock is touted to run for 10,000 years and instead of counting hours it will tick off the years for the next 10,000 of them.

Built in 1907 by George Jessop, Jessop's Clock has become a San Diego, California landmark and was moved from it initial location in the city center to a spot in the Horton Mall in downtown San Diego. On the day that its creator died the clock stopped working an no one has been able to get it going again. This has made it one of the famous clocks in North America and added to its intrigue.

Worldly Clocks Surround The Globe

In Ottawa, Canada the Peace Tower located at the House of Parliament houses one of that country's most famous clocks. On May 28, 2006 the clock inexplicably stopped working for one day, displaying the time of 7:28 to the confusion of many, sparking news stories often called the day that time stood still.

The Strasbourg Astronomical Clock, one of the famous clocks in France, replaced the second clock in 1842, following five years of construction. The first clock in the cathedral tower of Strasbourg told time from 1354 until 1572 when it was replaced. After seven years of construction, the second clock began keeping time in 1547 until it was struck by lightning in 1640. This makes it one of the oldest famous clocks in the world.

Numerous other famous clocks, many dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries remain standing in Switzerland, where the St. Peter's tower clock has the largest clock face in Europe. In Italy, St. Mark's tower's clock has been maintaining time for over 200 years and other in the Czech Republic, South Africa and Russia have also become famous clocks, more for their longevity than being popular with tourists.