The Palace of Westminster, or Houses of Parliament, is the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords on the shores of River Thames in the City of Westminster in central London, England. Originally built in 1016, it was destroyed in the fire of 1834, only to be rebuilt between 1840-1870. It’s often best recognized by Elizabeth Tower, the iconic clock tower more affectionately referred to as “Big Ben.” The origin of the Big Ben nickname is unknown, but most commonly believed to be after the man who oversaw the bell’s installation: Sir Benjamin Hall.