Some stained glass in the Chapter House of York Minster.
Durham Cathedral struck me as being big. Beverley Minster struck me as being one of the finest Gothic structures I've ever seen. So, what do you get when you put both of them together. You get York Minster, a big Gothic cathedral.
This visit was my third to York Minster. I've seen as much of it as a tourist can see. And yet, I never get tired of it. I think it's because I believe the Minster is one of the few places in the world that I've visited which I would consider "holy ground." I don't think I'm alone in that assessment. The Romans had their major building on the spot of the cathedral. And there's been a church there ever since the Romans left. Obviously, there is something unique about the spot where the Minster is located.
Of course, the feeling of something special is magnified by the building and its stained glass. I particularly love the stained glass. Most people like the Great East Window (the largest piece of medieval stained glass in the world). I have to admit, I've spent a couple of hours staring at it. But, I prefer the Five Sisters Window in the north transept. This window is even older than the Great East Window. It is made up of pieces of grey and green glass. While it isn't as colorful as the Great East Window, it has a feel of antiquity to it. Plus, it's relatively uniform color highlights the enormous height of the window. It's truly a marvel to see.
The only part of the Minster I hadn't been in was the Chapter House. The house is a octagon shaped meeting area for the clergy just off of the north transept. These rooms are common at most cathedrals. However, most of them have a central pillar supporting the roof. York's is the largest without a pillar. After paying my £.70, I finally got to see it. It's actually quite plain except for some more exquisite stained glass and an incredible ceiling. I was so impressed with the ceiling that I actually laid down on the floor to get a picture of it.
I also went into the Foundations, where I had been before. Admission to the Foundations costs £2.00. In here are Roman ruins (including a working aqueduct) and the walls of the old Norman cathedral. It's a fascinating trip back in time. A trip into the Foundations is a must for anyone visiting the Minster.
York use to be just behind Ely and Westminster Abbey as my favorite church
in England. Now, I'd probably put it in fifth (Canterbury and Beverley have
slipped in ahead of it). But, it's still worth visiting. In fact, I can't
imagine not visiting it if I'm in the area. There's just something about
sitting in it as the sunlight from the afternoon enters the nave through
the West Window that puts goose bumps on me. No other church in England
can do that to me. And no other church in England, simply through its existence,
has made me believe that there is a God (Of course, the choir rehearsing
for a service didn't hurt that feeling). For those reasons, I have to recommend
a visit to York Minster to anyone who is in the area.
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