Visit York Minster: World’s Largest Medieval Gothic Cathedral
There are a lot of things to things to do and see in York England and York Minster is at the top of the list. This is the world’s largest Medieval Gothic Cathedral, which was established as a missionary teaching church (Minster), and it is the seat of a bishop (cathedral).
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York Minster was built over 250 years ago between 1220 and 1472. The carvings on the walls of the octagonal Chapter House were done between 1270 and 1280. The characters and gargoyles range from drunkards to shrews to tormented souls. The Minister craftsmen today who continue to add their own carvings; ask a staff member to point out the Star Trek characters in the Great West Doorway for an example. York Minster’s Central Tower, the Lantern Tower, is 230 feet tall. Climb the 275 steps to the top for views of the city rooftops and a close-up view of the pinnacles, gargoyles, and carvings.
More than half of all the stained glass in England is in York Minster. There are 128 stained glass windows containing 2 million individual pieces of Medieval glass in the Minister. The Great East Window tells the story of the Bible and is the largest display of Medieval stained glass in the world (the size of a tennis court). The Rose window was shattered during a fire in 1984. It took four years to repair; each section is held together between two sheets of glass.
Two million people visit the York Minster yearly. The Minster employs 150 staff and 9 police. St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is the only other church with a police force. 500 volunteers also work to maintain the Minister. York Minster is unable to maintain operational costs of over £20,000 per day and charges tourists a fee to enter. This church is a must-visit while in York England.
Check current hours of operation and purchase tickets online at YorkMinster.org.
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