David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

York Minster in York, England – Part 1, Exterior and Interior General Views

The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, commonly known as York Minster, is the cathedral of York, England, and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe. York Minster is one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, a vision of heaven on earth crafted in stained glass and stone. For a millennia, people have been drawn to this sacred place but its story stretches back 2,000 years to the birth of modern day Christianity in Roman York. The cathedral has more medieval stained glass than anywhere else in the country. In 2018, for the first time in nearly a decade, visitors are able to see one of its most famous works of art – the Great East Window – revealed following a decade-long restoration and conservation project. (I got my photos before the restoration began.) York Minster’s Central Tower is the highest point in York and offers unbeatable, panoramic views of the city.

The first recorded church on the site was a wooden structure built hurriedly in 627 to provide a place to baptise Edwin, King of Northumbria. A stone structure was completed in 637 by Oswald and was dedicated to Saint Peter. In 741, the church was destroyed in a fire. It was rebuilt as a more impressive structure containing thirty altars. It was damaged in 1069, destroyed in 1075 and rebuilt in the Norman style. It was damaged again in 1137 and remodeled in 1154. In 1220 construction of a Gothic structure began, and continued into the 15th century. The cathedral was declared complete and consecrated in 1472. It was subject to looting and destruction following the English Reformation, and it was ravaged by several fires in the 1800s. From 1858 Augustus Duncombe worked successfully to revive the cathedral. During the 20th century there was more concerted preservation work, especially following a 1967 survey that revealed the building, in particular the central tower, was close to collapse. The cathedral was hit by a serious fire in 1984, but repair and restoration was completed in 1988. In 2007 a big renovation project was initiated and this was completed in 2018. Enough history – now to the pictures.

External views

DSC_0246.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr


DSC_0319.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr


DSC_0249.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr


DSC_0250.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr


DSC_0252.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr

Internal views

DSC_0262.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr


DSC_0263.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr


DSC_0270.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr


DSC_0271.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr


DSC_0273.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr


DSC_0286.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr


DSC_0289.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr

There are too many photos for just one set. Part 2 covers the Organ; Part 3 the stained glass windows; and Part 4 some additional Interior shots:
Part 2: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-669567-1.html#11653203
Part 3: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-669566-1.html#11653202
Part 4: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-669570-1.html#11653227

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

I have enjoyed this entire series, David.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Thanks very much. (Have you ever tried to put links between sets? One can only make updates for a short time after set creation, and it's a rush.)

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Good shots of an interesting place David - York has been on my "to-do" list for quite a while, but I get so much "stuck" with family down in London that it is becoming difficult to get out of London. Will have to make a bigger effort again. Thanks for guiding me in this! Joe

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Thank you very much, Joe. I'm pleased you liked them. Do make an effort to get back there. (I had the opportunity to spend some time inside while my tour group all went to "do" the city wall--I'm past able to do that. So I got to hear the Organist rehearsing for the later Evensong, which we all attended. Those huge wooden pipes really energize the place!)

angler Loc: StHelens England

Nice set David.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Hi, angler. I see you found all 5 sets. I'm so pleased you enjoyed them. Thanks.

Ourspolair

Great work as usual. Please stay well and keep on sharing.

just.a.guy

Thanks for sharing. Would say more but it would only detract to the beauty that is already there.
Thank again.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Ourspolair and just.a.guy, thank you both for responding. I am pleased you liked my photos, and you're welcome.

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

These are all wonderful. I want to do this locally. I did call and get the ok to photograph the outside of one of our Baptist churches. I would like to do a whole lot more especially the insides of churches. We have some really beautiful churches here and the surrounding area. Would love to start doing some in the spring. Please keep posting. Thanks

Tom

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

What an awesome, majestic place - and gorgeous shots to match

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Tom, thank you very much! I would not have thought it necessary to get permission to photograph the exterior of a church; interior yes, but not exterior.

Hi, Joe! Thanks for you nice comment! And the 3 thumbs!