http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523 http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523 http://ie2.trivago.com/images/layoutimages/logos/default.png http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635815 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:14:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635801 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:12:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635761 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:06:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635745 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:04:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635739 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:03:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635731 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:02:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635727 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:01:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635723 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:00:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635719 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:59:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635715 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:58:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635703 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:57:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635699 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:56:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635693 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:55:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635691 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:54:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635683 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:52:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10635673 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:50:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10199230 Sat, 19 Jan 2013 16:26:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10180564 Sun, 13 Jan 2013 17:40:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10040766 Sat, 24 Nov 2012 17:12:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/picture-i10040746 Sat, 24 Nov 2012 17:11:00 +0100 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/review-o834737 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:51:00 +0200 http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/rating-e632585 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 02:12:00 +0200 http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/review-o453706 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:34:00 +0100
Disadvantages: none that I can see.

As the King George VI said “The history of York is the history of England. I don’t know how right he was, but I would like to say the history of York Minster is the history of York indeed.

General information

York Minster is Europe's largest remaining medieval church, also the world's great masterpiece in design and construction of an exquisite church.

Back to AD 627 York's first Minster was built to christen the present Anglo Saxon King, Edwin of Northumbria. It was originally a small wooden church, and then rebuilt to be a bigger stone one later. However it was badly damaged by fire in the year 1069 of the Normans region period of the city of York.

Around the year 1080 Normans started building a cathedral, which was completed 20 years later and on the very site of the Saxon church. Incidentally near this place Constantine the Great was proclaimed Roman Emperor in 306.

In the 13th century people started to build the South and North transepts, and then the East end with the building of the Lady Chapel and the Quire, until 1472 the Western towers were added and the Minster finally completed to be the one we know today. That said the Minster had taken about 250 years to take shape.

It was a Catholic church before 1534. Now it is a Christian working church as well as a popular tourist site. It is open daily except for the service times. As a tourist you can enter to the Minster, Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt and Tower. Currently the entry prices to these sites are £9.50 for adults, £3.00 for children and £8.00 for concessions. You can also choose single site or mixed sites to visit, accordingly the prices would be lower a little bit. Do remember children under the age of 8 may not climb the Tower.

What you can see

York Minster is very important within the Church of England. It is the seat of the Archbishop of York, after the most prominent seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury. As the second largest Gothic Cathedral in Europe, it is 158 metres long and 60 metres high. Besides admiring the magnificent buildings there are certainly a lot of things to see. Here I have just selected a few that attracted me the most.

1. The Rose Window

The Rose Window is something that no visitor can fail to miss. It’s just at the front entrance and a stained glass window, which is considered to be the most beautiful window of the minster. It tells the story of two houses of York and Lancaster, which historically had fights and at last united each other.

2. The Great East Window

The Great Eastern Window is the largest single piece of stained glass in the world. That depicts the beginning and the end of the world based on the Bible stories. You really have to see it to believe it is almost the size of a tennis court and dated back between 1405 and 1408.

3. The Great West Window

The Great West Window is in the nave, also known as the ‘Heart of Yorkshire’ due to the looks in the centre, which was constructed in 1338.

4. The Five Sisters Window

The Five Sisters Window is in the north transept and has five rectangle glasses, which is over 16 metres tall and the earliest window on this spot.

5. The Screen

It’s the most impressive screen I've ever seen. Instead of religious figures the screen displays with statues of 15 English kings, from William I to Henry VI.

6. The Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt

Walking down the stairs of the minster you will find skeletons of buildings that were on the site of the Minster before it was built, such as the remains of a Roman fortress as well as the Viking and medieval carvings. You can also have a look at the collection of treasures.

7. The Tower

It is the largest church tower in England. That means you have to climb 275 steep steps to get the top. The views from the top by all means are breathtaking and outstanding. Walking along the tower you can see almost all of York, even more if the sky is clear. Not to mention the medieval streets and horse carriages down below that can take you back in time.

My opinions

Needless to say I’m very impressed with the beauty of the Minster, in particular the windows I mentioned earlier, the Screen and the Nave. In my inexperienced opinion York Minster and Westminster Abbey are of equal magnificence.

However when I was there in the late night I came across the visit of the Relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux. Mingling with the thousand visitors and pilgrims in the spacious and bright palace I was really fascinated by the power of religion. It became the clearest memory of my trip to the Minster and the city of York.

Summary: A vital medieval cathedral strongly impressed me.

PS. Welcome to visit my blog for more pictures.
http://blossom-iwanttoseetheworld.blogspot.com




]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/review-o447426 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:56:00 +0100
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. By visiting the Minster and paying your admission fee you are helping to support the Minster.


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 think is 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.
Senior (60+)/student: £5.00
Children with family (16 and under): Free

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 ]]> http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/review-o182523 Sun, 27 Apr 2008 11:37:00 +0200 http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/rating-e266971 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:10:00 +0100 http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/rating-e57024 Sun, 24 Sep 2006 23:13:00 +0200 http://www.trivago.co.uk/york-41492/church--cathedral--monastery/york-minster-98523/review-o2070 Wed, 03 Aug 2005 03:01:00 +0200
The St William Window

This a beautiful window near the north transept showing the life and work of St William. It has 100 stained glass panels with fantastic colours. The light shining through them is a sight to see.


The Undercroft

Here you will find skeletons of buildings that were on the site of the Minster before it was built. These date back to Roman times when the Romans used York, then called Eboracum, as their headquarters for the North


The Tower

You can actually climb to the top of one of the Towers. There are 365 steps from bottom to top and the stairs are narrow and only just allow two people to pass on thier way up or down. The views from the top of the tower are superb. You can see for miles.



The Minster is situated in the centre of York and no one can say that they could not find it. Wherever you are stood in the town centre you can see the towers. As you drive into York on the main by pass (B1237) you can see the Minster.

It is easily accesible by foot but now York has been made into a pedestrian zone, cars have to be parked outside of the City walls.

Entrance is now 5.00 per person with concessions for children and old age pensioners.

If you ever visit the North of England you have to visit this beautiful building. You have not seen Yorkshire until you do

Thank you for reading this review

Carol]]>