London’s iconic Big Ben to go silent for repairs until 2021; see pics

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After ringing for over 150 years, the British Parliament's Big Ben bell will go on its longest period of silence of about four years. The Big Ben bell, which is said to be one of the London's most iconic sounds, is due to sound the hour for the last time on Monday before it is silenced for almost four years of repair work, as per a report of the Associated Press. The bell first rang out in 1859. Though the bell is not due to resume regular timekeeping until 2021, but it will be heard on special occasions such as New Year's Eve. (Reuters)

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At several occasion in past, the Big Ben bell was silenced for repairs. Most recently, it was in 2007, that the bell was silenced, but this stretch is by far the longest. (AP)

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The bell is not due to resume regular timekeeping until 2021, though it will be heard on special occasions such as New Year's Eve. (Reuters)

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Though the break on the sound of Big Ben bell is intended to allow workers to carry out much-needed maintenance to the Victorian clock and clock tower, some lawmakers have reportedly criticized the lengthy silence. Calling Big Ben an important symbol of British democracy, they want the time scale for repairs tightened. (Reuters)

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The sound of the 13.5 U.K. ton (15.1 U.S. ton, 13.7 metric ton) bell became associated with Britain around the globe through World War II radio news broadcasts. (Reuters)

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During the repair work, scaffolding will obscure parts of the tower, and the clock faces will be covered at times. (AP)

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According to Adam Watrobski, principal architect at the Houses of Parliament, authorities are well aware of how much interest the bell and the tower generate. But at the end of the day all buildings have to be serviced. (Reuters)

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Once the repair is done, the building will be sound and secure for the next 60 years or so, said principal architect at the Houses of Parliament Adam Watrobski. (Reuters)

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Part of the three-train clock, which drives the hands of Big Ben, is seen in the mechanism room, which will be dismantled and cleaned during the renovation work on the Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster, London. (Reuters)

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The Big Ben bell, which will be removed and cleaned during renovation work on the Elizabeth Tower, is seen at the Palace of Westminster, London. (Reuters)