York Minster

The York Minster is the most impressive Gothic Cathedral in all of Northern Europe. You can see its spires stretching up above the city skyline from just about anywhere you walk in York.

 

The problem I ran into during my visit was the early closing times of all the museums and historical sites; by the time I returned from a day of work, admission times had passed.

On a lucky Thursday afternoon, I rushed back, found a parking spot--begged a stranger to give me change for a 5 pound note, she said she didn't have change, I asked her to look and check to make sure, she put her bag down on the ground and rummaged through it until she came up with the change I needed so I could pay for parking--then I sprinted into the heart of the city and arrived just in time for the last admission of the day. Hoorah! We got to tour the minster!

I hiked up the tiny stone steps inside the main tower of the church--I had to confirm that my health was in good condition before they allowed me to embark the twisty, steep corridor.

The views from the top were grand!

I took this shot from the very top, the roof of the tower. It was amazing to see the country side from so high up; nothing but green squares all lined up along a lazy, snaking river.

The Minster had the coolest doors. The plaque says "Letters."

Inside I felt as though I had stepped inside my old college art textbooks.

The organ was stunning; while I was inside, I got to hear the 5:00 evensong service. A choir of men and boys joined the choir and their hymns lifted airily to the lofty arched ceilings. Very cool.

Beautiful tapestries hung on the walls next to commemorative plaques for servicemen.

The ceilings were amazing!

I didn't take any pictures in the crypt, but above the crypt beautiful statues paid homage to the graves of the people below.

The York Minster has the largest stained glass window in Europe--it is the size of a tennis court!

After their evensong service concluded, one of the priests invited me to join the congregation for strawberries and champaign. I didn't drink, but I very much enjoyed my strawberries with cream and a piece of shortbread.

Outside, the kids from York High were taking pictures for prom. I snatched a shot of them as I walked past. Why wouldn't they have prom pictures in front of the ancient cathedral???