Fantastic Facts About York Minster

Northern Europe's Biggest Gothic Cathedral - But Size Isn't Everything

York Minster rises above the roof tops and Medieval Walls of York. The view is of the West Front.

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And no wonder. York Minster is truly awe inspiring. This architectural and artistic masterpiece took more than 250 years to build. It is filled with unique and characterful carvings and the world's greatest collection of intact, Medieval stained glass windows.

It is also, as it happens, huge. Here are some statistics:

• Length - 525 feet (160 meters)
• Width - 249 feet (76 meters)
• Height to vault - 88.5 feet (27 meters)
• West towers - Nearly 184 feet each (56 meters)
• Lantern tower - 233 feet (71 meters)

As Northern Europe's largest consecrated Medieval Gothic space, York Minster is also one of the world's largest Medieval Gothic Cathedrals. Only Chartres, south of Paris, is larger.

But size isn't everything. Among York Minster's other attractions are its unusual Chapter House and a history as a sacred place that extends back nearly 2000 years.

Essential Visitor Information for York Minster

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Index: Fantastic Facts About York Minster

1. Northern Europe's Biggest Gothic Cathedral - But Size Isn't Everything
2. What is a Minster? York Minster's 2000 Years of History
3. Why York Minster Has Admission Charges - Just Imagine the Electricity Bill!
4. Mistletoe on the High Altar - A Reminder of the Ancient Pre-Christian Past
5. Amazing Facts About the Tower
6. The Rose Window - Rising Like a Phoenix From the Ashes
7. Polishing the Minster's "Crown Jewels" - Medieval Stained Glass at York Minster
8. The Chapter House - York Minster's Beautiful Octagonal Room
9. York Minster Carvings - Unique Evidence of Each Stonemason's Personality and Art
10. The Chapter House Ceiling, a 13th Century Engineering Marvel