One Of Canada's Most Significant Symbols Is The Country's Very Own 'Big Ben'

There is a fine line between homage and rip-off, and it is perhaps understandable that some architects look at famous landmarks and think, "Yeah, that's a great idea! We should do that, too." These replicas crop up in some of the most unlikely places: The copycat Great Sphinx in Lanzhou, China; the Leaning Tower of Niles, Illinois; and the mini Statue of Liberty in Tokyo Bay, Japan, to name just a few. Meanwhile, the Peace Tower in Ottawa, Ontario isn't exactly a spitting image of a very similar clock tower in London, but it is close enough to warrant the nickname of Canada's Big Ben. Thanks to the imperial past between the two countries, it also has some important connections with Britain.

With a population of around 1.4 million residents, Ottawa may be the Canadian capital but it is also one of the country's most underrated cities. One must-see attraction that often appears on a list of things to do is pay a visit to Parliament Hill, where a gorgeous collection of ornate gothic buildings command a view across the Ottawa River to Gatineau, Quebec. The Peace Tower dominates the city's skyline, only losing its distinction as Ottawa's tallest structure when the Claridge Icon was completed in 2019. Even so, the Peace Tower is still Canada's most recognizable emblem after the maple leaf. Let's take a closer look at this historic landmark and its similarities to Big Ben.

The Peace Tower is the magnificent centrepiece of Parliament Hill, soaring above the Centre Block building to a height of 302 feet. The tower was built to replace its predecessor, the Victoria Tower, which was destroyed in a devastating fire in 1916. The new edifice was conceived two years later as a memorial to the brave Canadians who lost their lives fighting in World War I and was completed in 1927. The original goal was to etch the names of the deceased on the walls of the Memorial Chamber, but there wasn't enough room for all 66,000 of them  A Book of Remembrance performs the solemn duty instead, and two of the plaques in the chamber also contains the words of John McCrae's famous poem "In Flanders Fields."

The focal point of the Peace Tower are the four ornate clock faces on each side. They bear a striking resemblance to those than adorn Big Ben, or the Elizabeth Tower, to use its official name. Perhaps the similarities shouldn't come as a surprise; the clock was originally given as a gift from the United Kingdom to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. Inside the clock tower are 53 bells ranging from 10 pounds in weight to 10 tons. The bells also come from Britain, forged in Croydon, South London, which is almost close enough to hear the iconic chimes of Big Ben.

The Peace Tower is a little shorter than the Elizabeth Tower which reaches 315 feet, but the 53 bells hanging from the fine carillon vastly outnumbers the London landmark's five. Big Ben itself, the bell responsible the iconic "bong" that resonates across the London skyline is larger, weighing a massive 13.7 tons compared to the Peace Tower's largest. The Peace Tower's suite of bells form a carillon which gives it more musicality, with the ability to play tunes via a keyboard-like instrument.

The exterior of the Peace Tower is decorated with a range of gargoyles and grotesques that make it more reminiscent of a medieval European church. Big Ben has some gargoyles of its own, but they are a little more understated. Another small but significant difference is that Big Ben is topped by a spire while the Peace Tower has roof access. This is where a Flag Master has changed the Maple Leaf flag on weekdays (weather permitting) since 1965.

Big Ben and Peace Tower are both top attractions you won't want to miss and climb both of them. The Peace Tower has an observation deck at 200 feet, located beneath the clocks, which offer a spectacular panoramic view of the city. Tickets must be purchased in advance. You can also get up to the belfry of Elizabeth Tower by booking a guided tour which takes you up 334 steps to check out the bells and the clock face.