York Minster, York

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York Minster is to York what York is to its Minster. Since XIth century when the actual building began to be erected this majestic, smart and huge church has been a witness and an actor of a leading part in England's History. The exterior view may not be so spectacular as that one from other great cathedrals, partly due to its placing in a plain terrain surrounded by York's buildings, partly to its not very slender towers compared, i.e. to Lincoln's or Durham's. But wait to enter...

The highly interesting beginnings are closely linked to the rich History of the country. In fact, the very origin comes to Roman times. Under the actual Minster and surroundings there was a leading Roman headquarter and basilica and was here at IVth century where Constantine the Great was proclaimed Augustus -Emperor later- and he's who made possible the adoption of Christianity as the Empire's leading religion. Later, when Anglo-Saxon times, a first church was made -it's not clear where exactly-, being a wooden one the first of all and a stoned one later enclosing the original. With time these were destroyed but at XIth century, when Norman victory over Saxons, everything turned again. Archbishop Thomas of Bayeux promoted the building here of a great Minster and that's the origin of the building you can see now.

Beginning in a Romanesque-Norman style, it evolved into a mainly Early English style and Decorated and Perpendicular Gothic afterwards. In a whole, its shape is basically Gothic especially when you enter inside. Coming from the transept to the nave it soon discovers you one of the finest Gothic structures and ornaments able to be seen in this country. This church is said to be the biggest in Britain. It may be so but not in height but in width. The nave lenght is obviosly enormous and taking the complete tour takes big time if you want to discover its marvels -as it may be-.

To understand York Minster, the same as York itself, means coming down to the undercroft, treasury and crypt. Here you'll find a surprise, a unique exhibition among Minster's foundations that will show you better that anything the real antiquity and history surrounding this place, something unique.

And after a more comprehensive viewpoint, the best is proceeding to the real tour, walking through these marvellous pillars, carved ornaments, medieval stained windows etc. with a guide in hands. Take your time and don't hurry for it's worthy. Some hits you'll find in here are:

- The Great East Window, which is said to be the biggest medieval stained glass window in the world, dating from XVth century, and the other great windos. i.e the Great West Window from XIVth century or the Five Sisters or St. William's windows at the north side.

- Central tower and transept. You may climb up the tower but it's a charge apart and not for faint-hearted!

- The superb quire screen, with 15 stone kings carved on a symphony of white and gold, showing some leading kings since the first saxon church to its completion.

- The Quire itself, a supernatural environment of carved wood leaded by the giantic organ. A beauty oasis in spite of being a reconstruction of the original medieval one which was devastated in a XIXth century fire. Nonetheless the wood work is superb and you'd never say it's rebuilt.

- North aisle and the big Astronomical Clock, a curiosity acting as a memorial for crewmen who flew during WWII.

- The superb Chapter House a polygonal XIIIth century with nice wooden ribs acting as a pioneering architectural item to avoy a central column for sustaining the roof, 44 seats around and the walls quite completely medieval stained glass ones. Astoundingly beautiful!

There are whole walls covered with ancient stoned or polychromed wooden toms and memorials. Make your way and discover one by one every unique feature in this especial space, one of the more interesting, beautiful and historically rich buildings in England. York Minster rules!

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This is certainly one of the big name attractions in York and it does deserve to be. It is a beautiful and fascinating building and the history of this building reflects the history of the city as a whole to a considerable extent. The museum in the undercroft showing some of the Roman heritage of Eboracum is easily forgotten but should not be missed. The cost is quite steep however at £8. Getting a Yorkshire Pass if you intend to visit the Minster along with a few other attractions is well worth the money. We also did get a guided tour of the Minster and our guide was extremely well informed and enthusiastic. Only problem was that the tour went on for just over 3 hours which was far too long (most people disappeared along the way!). Going up the 275 steps to the top of the central tower will set you back another £5. The views from up there are fantastic but it's not worth £5 each! By the time you get to the top you may also feel that you should have been paid for walking all the way up there! The views from Cliffords Tower near the York Castle museum are just as good if not better and it's cheaper and less exhausting!

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I was dead out of luck

The Minster was closed when I wanted to visit due to Battle of Britian services.

But I got to see the outside and a small part of the interior. - Next time hopefully.

BUT I got to hear the organ :)

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York Minster is a historic, beautiful Gothic church, one of the largest in Europe. It's a working church but also a tourist attraction.

There have been various churches on the site for a thousand years, building of the current one being started in the early 13th century. Work carried on until 1472 when it was declared as completed.

The architecture and the engineering are stunning, the detail in the stonework and stained glass windows are amazing.

You can walk into the main entrance with no charge and view quite a lot of the building but if you want to view the whole building there is a charge. Details are given on the website.

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This magnificent cathedral dominates York with its lofty spires and its bells that ring out loud, long and clear. I was unable to get more than a quick glimpse of its interior and famous stained glass, because the crowds were too thick, but walking round and focussing on the magnificent facade was enough to satisfy me.
The Minster is the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe.

The first Minster was built for the baptism of the Anglo Saxon King, Edwin of Northumbria. It was made of wood and had been built for the occasion, in 627. It was soon rebuilt in stone. As Edwin was killed in battle in 633 the task of completing the new stone church fell to Oswald. It was built on the original site and was enlarged over time.
In 1069 it was badly damaged by fire when the Normans took control of the city of York.
After taking control of the city, the Normans decided to to build a new Minster on a new site. About 1080 Thomas of Bayeux became Archbishop and started building the cathedral that became the Minster we know today. Additions to the nave, rebuilding of the central tower
which collapsed, and the western towers were added. In all it took 250 years to build .

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York Minster is definately one of the greatest and best preserved masterpieces of Gothic architecture and stained glass art. It was originally designed as a Romanesque Norman cathedral, but more than 100 years into its construction following a major fire, the original design was scrapped in favor of the flambouyant Gothic style that was becoming popular for European churches. However, many of the Norman elements were retained.

The tops of the three main towers contain platforms that are shielded by what appears to be defense bulwarks. The towers therefore resemble the rooks of a medieval fortress castle, which is largely what they originally served as. It was determined that the massive stone ramparts built around the city did not provide sufficient protection against the invaders. The cathedral and its towers provided a second line of defense. The lantern near the top of the main tower helped the defenders of the city spot enemies who approached during the night. Because the towers were not to be supported by flying buttresses, they had to be built with very thick walls. Photo #1 shows some of the many spires.

Photo #2 is an interior view of the cental nave. The intricately vaulted Gothic arched ceiling was strengthened in tension by wooden ribs and ties. The ceiling elements were all outlined in gold long after the original construction was completed.

The north transept of the cathedral is dominated by the "five sisters" windows ( shown in photo #3 ), which is a brilliant set of five lancet windows topped by five smaller lancets. The windows are all made from many small pieces of glass fused together. These brilliant windows were crafted by an early form of monochroming. It is difficult to imagine that these windows are 750 years old. The Great East Window, completed in 1408, is the largest cycle of monochromed, medieval stained glass windows in the world. The walls of the cenral nave are completely lined with cycles of exquisite stained Christian events.

With the exception of the stained glass windows and the fascinating arches and pillars, you will no doubt notice the almost complete lack of sculpture and other artwork. During the "reformation" minded reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the cathedral was stripped of memorials, altars, vestments, sculptures, portraits, and tombs. These adornments were features of Catholic churches, and thus had no part in the Anglican minster that the cathedral had been converted into. Because the many sculptures of saints were transformed into sculptures of former British kings, they were allowed to stay in place. Surprisingly enough the many gargoyles protruding from the spires were not destroyed. Possibly the queen was fond of these stone beasts.

Open to the public: Monday through Saturday 0900 - 1700
Sunday 1200 - 1545
Closed a few times per year for important religious events. ( see web link )
General admission: £ 5.50 adults, £ 4.50 students and 60+ seniors, children under 17 free of charge. Separate admission charge to climb lantern tower, and to visit undercroft. Combinded tickets are available. Additional charge for photography permit. Admission was free of charge when old hund visited in 2001. Perhaps it was just after my visit when the holy church decided that one too many cheapskates had toured the cathedral.

York Minster is one of the most impressive cathedrals I've seen in Europe, it overwhelms the town of York. It's difficult to take a picture of all the Minster because it is so large and because the town surrounds it.

A good way to view the Cathedral together with its buildings and grounds is to walk the city walls between Bootham Bar and Monkgate Bar. This should be followed by a tour inside the Minster, including the Choir Screen which has fifteen statues of the kings of England from William I to Henry VI. For the more energetic there is a climb up the 275 stone steps of the spiral stairway to the top of the Central Tower, which provides splendid views over York. On clear days you can see more than 35 miles of the surrounding countryside

The large Rose Window shown in the pictures was originally built in 1500 but due to a 1984 fire it was rebuilt in 1987.

Opening Times:
Summer 07.00-20.30
Winter 07.00-18.00
Admission: no charge, but a donation is requested

I see now they charge to visit the Minster:
Entry into the Minster
Adult: £4.50
Children (under 16s): Free

Entry to the Undercroft, Treasury & Crypt
Adults: £3.00 Children: £1.50
Entry to the Tower : Adults: £2.50
Children: £1.00

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A lot of history has been made at this Gothic Minster, the largest medieval cathedral, since the 600 AD! Those who had made a mark at Minster are buried there including Emperor Constantine; Edwin of Northumbria, an Anglo Saxon King and past and present Archbishops including St William of York

The very first Minster was built in the 7th Century and was a small wooden church. During the 12th Century, the Normans who acquired York built a Minster on the very same spot and replaced the previous one. The church enlarged and Walter Gray, the archbishop, in 1215 comissioned for the church interiors to be added including transepts, the naves, the Lady Chapel and the Quire. The interiors were completed over three centuries and the Central and Western towers were added to the Minster.

Today, the Minster remains intact despite fires in the 19th Century and extensive renovations in the 20th Century. Work to and the discovery of the Minster is still ongoing by The York Minster Revealed project which is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

On our visit in March 2011, my friend and I went on a Tower Tour where we climbed 275 steps to the top and we got great views of York down below and the amazing architecture! One criticism is that we were not given much time at the top and the staff were keen for us to ascend and descend as soon as possible! On a future visit to York, I would like to explore the Minster itself more thoroughly.

It costs us 5.50 GBP (March 2011) to go up the tower.
If you want to visit the Minster itself including the Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt, it would cost you 9 GBP but you get a free audio guided tour.