York Minster

A visit to York Minster

There are places that impress not just by scale but by a consistency built over centuries. York Minster is not simply a 'big cathedral'. It is one of the largest Gothic churches in northern Europe and one of the most important symbols of medieval England.

250 years of construction.

The current cathedral began to be built in 1220 and was officially completed in 1472. That's about 250 years of work by several generations of builders. As a result, within a single structure you can see different phases of English Gothic: Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular. It is not a uniform construction; it is an architectural chronicle of the era.

Stained glass that has survived the centuries

York Minster is famous for some of the most important medieval stained glass windows in Europe. In total there are about 2 million pieces of glass.

• Great East Window – the largest surviving medieval stained glass window in the world. It was created between 1405 and 1408 and depicts scenes from the Book of Genesis to the Apocalypse. It is about 23 metres high and dominates the whole presbytery.
• Five Sisters Window – five tall lancet windows in the north transept, dated to the 13th century. Unlike many colourful stained glass windows, shades of grey and green dominate here, with geometric patterns rather than narrative scenes.

275 steps to the Central Tower

The climb to the Central Tower is 275 steps in a narrow, spiral staircase. The tower's height is about 72 metres, and from the top you can see the whole historic centre of York, including the characteristic street The Shambles. The view is worth the effort, but people with a fear of heights may feel it. The ascent is really tough because it's quite narrow and the steps are steep. Sore muscles the next day guaranteed 😄

Layers of history beneath the floor

In the area known as the York Minster Undercroft you can see the remains of the Roman fortress Eboracum and elements of the earlier Norman cathedral. The current building stands directly on the foundations of earlier structures. It is one of the few places where Roman, Romanesque and Gothic history meet in one spot.