I love york and whenever possible go for a weekend. Whilst there I always visit York Minster and usually stay in an Inn a few feet away directly facing the Minster. The first thing that strikes you is the size of it and the fabulous architecture (it's over 500 feet wide and has a central tower almost 200 feet high). Visitors come from all over the world to admire York Minster Cathedral.
Whilst you are looking around the Minster bear in mind it took over 250 years to complete and the only devices they had then were simple levers, pulleys and hoists. Lots of Masons and Carpenters spent their entire working lives just helping to construct York Minster.
In the year 306A.D. Constantine was proclaimed Emperor in a ceremony which took place on the sight of the future Minister, there is a statue of him looking very Imperial outside the Minster.
Over the years the Minster has had major repair and restoration works done and on most of our visits ongoing maintenance work is usually being carried out . It used to be free to visit the Minster but the upkeep of the Minster is so great that they now have to charge admission fees.
Some of the features of the Minster:
The Nave This is the widest Gothic nave in the country. Look for the heart shaped carving at the top of the great west window which is nicknamed the heart of Yorkshire.
Chapter house Octagonal building which because of it's shape helped to provide good sound.
The East End One of the last parts of the minister to be built. The East End has one of the largest medieval glass window in England.
The choir Traditionally where services where sung.
The Tower It's great to climb to the top of the tower but be careful the steps are steep and the stairway is very narrow and it's a fair climb and you may find yourself slightly out of breath when you get to the top. But the views at the top are worth it you can see for miles and miles and you also get a closer view of the architecture, I found York Minsters flying buttresses ( I think thats what they are called, photos of these below) really impressive.
North Transept This is the oldest part of the present building and has the largest area of 'grisaille' glass to have survived anywhere in the world, it looks lovely and all the colours sparkle and shimmer when the sun is shining behind it.
The Aisles Their are lots of Tombs and plaques which remember many notable figures from the past.
South Transept This is one of the One of the earliest sections of the Minster to be built and is home to the beautiful rose window, this also looks magical with the sun shining behind it.
The Crypt The Crypt is the earliest part of the minster to be built.
Foundations Huge quantities of stone were quarried, this magnesium limestone weathers and cleans itself turning from white when first quarried to the lovely pale golden honey colour which is the colour we see today.
Although I love York Minster I have only been down in the foundations once. Whilst walking among the stone coffins which have been excavated from the walls (these look like large stone bath tubs and have a hole the same size as a plughole, we where told this is to allow the bodily fluids to drain away). I felt faint, icy cold and covered in goosebumps a really weird unexplainable feeling (I'm not supersticious and don't believe in ghosts-maybe it was the air quality down there who knows?). Although we always visit the Minster when in York. I have never been down in the foundations again, might be brave enough on our next visit.
I love the sound of the minster bells ringing. We were there once at christmas time and it was magical walking by the Minster at night time when the bells were ringing out Christmas carols. Also recently we have started to stay at the Guy Fawkes Inn which is a few feet away from the Minster and although not to everybodys taste you can hear the Minsters bells very loudly and clearly from here which I thought was great.
If visiting the Minster you should be aware that the Minster is still a place of worship and sometimes when we have visited access to some areas has been restricted whilst services are taking place. Anybody is welcome to join in any of the daily services though.
Directions Situated a few minutes walk from the city centre. Rail under two hours from London and Edingburgh. Road A64 leeds to York approx 208 miles from London.
E-mail: info @ yorkminster.org Web:www.yorkminster.org
Admission
Entry to the Minster £6 per person, free if you want to attend services or light a candle.
Entry to the Minster, Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt and Tower Adult: £9.50 Senior (60+)/student: £8.00 Children 16 or under with family: £3.00 each
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Pictures of York Minster, York
Minster's flying buttresses.
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Advantages: Convenient location, informative historical site with magnificent views. Disadvantages: No audio guide available. No disability and toilet facilities.
happysh2009 09.10.2009 (12.10.2009)
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