York Minster
Legend has it that the origins of York Minster lie in a small wooden church, built for the baptism of the Anglo Saxon King, Edwin of Northumbria in 627 upon his conversion to Christianity. In order to honour his new-found faith, Edwin commissioned a stone church to replace the original wood structure. Enlarged over time, this early stone structure survived through the Viking age but not the Norman invaders who fired the church & city in 1069.
Once control of the city had been established, Archbishop Thomas of Bayeux started anew on a fresh site and so began the construction of the Minster that stands to this day. Over the centuries it has been enlarged and added to, resulting in the largest cathedral in Northern Europe.
Key Features
The Nave – Breathtaking in its sheer scale, the width of the aisle and the weight of the stonework above prompted the builders to span the vaulted ceiling with wood creating a unique and beautiful ceiling. Some magnificent stained glass culminates in the West Window, tier upon tier of intricate glass dating back to the 14th century. Look out for a dragon’s head protruding from the left-hand wall of the nave; no one really knows why it is there.
North Transept – Dominated by the Five Sisters Window completed about 1250, this is the largest window of its type in the world and is now dedicated as a memorial to the women who lost their lives in the two world wars. An ornate astronomical clock crafted at the Royal Greenwich Observatory was donated in honour all the allied airman who lost their lives during WW2.
The Chapter House – meeting place of the Deans, the Chapter House is renowned for its ornate carving. Its octagonal design ensures no one Dean can sit at the head of the meeting.
The Choir – Don’t miss the recently refurbished organ, now containing over 5000 pipes.
The East End – it is here you will find some of the smaller chapels including All Saints Chapel, the chapel of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment.
The South Transcept – Once again it is the stained glass that steals the show in the form of a magnificent Rose Window. Although the stonework was completed in the mid-13th century, the glass was not added until the late 15th century to commemorate the end of the War of the Roses.
Plan your visit to York Minster
- Hotels convenient for York Minster - plan your trip to York Minster by selecting your ideal hotel nearby
- York Central Hotels - plan your trip to York Minster by selecting your hotel in the centre of York, ideal for both York Minster and the cities other attractions
- York Minster - more information
