York Minster Cathedral (York Minster Cathedral)

Member Name: debmercury

Product:	York Minster Cathedral
Date:	12/04/08 (202 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Architecture and windows

Disadvantages: Foundations

I love york and whenever possible go for a weekend. Whilst there I always visit York 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.

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 are on ciao) 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 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.

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
£5 per person, free if you want to attend services.

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Summary: Worth a visit