By Duncan Harbin
York as a city is fundamentally different than any city in America. It is one of the few cities in the world that is the closest to what it was in medieval times. You can see beautiful architecture built in the medieval period and even older to the Roman period. It also has a link to the “Viking” past. The city itself is not what you picture as a modern city, such as London or Manchester.
A a big attraction in York is the York Minster Cathedral a monument to gothic architecture. It is made from beautiful white stone and has stunning stained glass. York minster also has the biggest piece of stained glass in a cathedral.
You can also find an early form of advertising in the cathedral as one of the stained glasses was sponsored by bell maker and you can see that in the glass as it has depiction on how to make bells. One wall took my breath away. It was glass that looked like swords rising up to the ceiling going to a circle at the top with so much color it shined like jewels in the light. It was sponsored by the medieval Jewish community who acted as the banking system. For sponsoring the creation of the stained-glass windows, they were given land to make a cemetery.
There is a piece of ancient times hidden under the cathedral. The cathedral was built on a roman site, and you can find old parts of buildings under the cathedral, including Roman walls and columns. There are also many artifacts. But that is not the only thing that is below York minster. There is the grave of their saint in the crypt. The crypt is not like the rest of the cathedral, it is less bright and happy, it feels darker.
York at one time was a Danish city used for trade, including amber and slaves. I visited the Jorvik Center in York. Where some people mentioned I look like a Dane, they found it very funny. The Jorvik center tries to take you back to show how It would have looked, smelled, and sounded like during the times of the Danes. It also had a replica of a dig site of a Danish blacksmith. Also, at the end of the ride they have an exhibit with many artifacts they have found.
Also, while in York I visited some of the fortifications that defended York and kept it under control. The city is protected by a medieval wall but like Constantinople the wall is raised on a hill and is not very tall. So, if you are thinking of wall like in Game of thrones, I am sorry to disappoint. I was able to walk them with a group and it was a fun time we whereas able to see the old roman wall. York was first a roman fort.
Then across from our hotel was the York Castle a towering castle above the city. Not a big castle but put on top a hill and by two rivers. The castle was there to protect York and keep it line.
William the conqueror made the fort after the duke of York rebelled against William. Made by the two rivers and at the highest point it showed his power and how he ruled York and was king of England.
I was able to visit the castle. Inside there are two rooms, one a church added on after the original construction. The room is not level, so you feel like you are being pulled while in the room. The second room is the royal bathroom. I was able to sit on the royal toilet.
