The walled city

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Geo: 53.9577, -1.08229

Grudgingly Jess, Charne, AJ and I got up early to meet at Kings Cross Station at 7am, although we were pretty excited to be going away for the weekend. I have heard many good things about York and was glad to be finally visiting. I was looking forward to wandering through the medieval, narrow streets and a weekend out of the busy, polluted city. Most of the city is surrounded by the old city wall which was built in the 13th century.

The main attraction in York is the York Minster. People have been praying here for nearly 1,000 years! It is the largest Gothic building in northern Europe. The construction on the cathedral began in 1220 and took 252 years to build. It has the most complete collection of medieval stained glass in Britain. In the under croft there were Roman remains and Viking grave stones. We walked the 275 steps up to the tower for a view of the town. It is built in the shape of a cross which symbolises that Jesus died on a cross. The minster's decorations are to remind us that it is God's house. It was once a place of worship for Catholics until King Henry VIII formed the Church of England.

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Photos

01 Remaining wall
The only wall remaining of St Mary's Abbey.

02 Admiring
Me admiring one of the many duplicated paintings.

03 Foundations
The site of the abbey.

04 Abbey
Part of the remaining wall.

05 Abbey
The abbey as seen from a distance.

06 St Leonards Hospital
The ruins of the hospital.

07 Medieval House
Buildings in Stonegate.

08 Me, AJ and Jess
Us girls in Stonegate.

09 Leading to the Minster
Walking along Stonegate, which leads to the Minster.

10 Street sign
Cute statue on this corner.

11 Stained glass windows
One of the many windows inside York Minster.

12 Kings
Some of the statues of kings that form this stone screen.

13 Inside
Inside the beautiful minster.

14 Window
Another stained glass window.

15 Battles
Railings of different battles.

16 Angel
Statue of an angel.

17 On the way up
View of the church towers on our way up to the roof.

18 Gargoyles
Some of the many gargoyles looking down on us.

19 View from the top
Looking out at York.

20 View from the top
Looking down at the two towers.

21 Inside
More of the many stained glass windows.