A Brief History of York, England - YorkMix Visitor Guides
The Roman city of Emboracum, the Viking city of Jorvik and today, the city of York: a place with history dating back to AD 71.
The city is sits at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss and was founded by the Roman Ninth Legion in this strategically important location. Over time the city grew to become an important centre of trade, administration and military power. Indeed the Emperor Constantine The Great was made emperor in York is AD 306.
Some of the street layouts in York can still trace their way back to the original Roman fortress. Parts of the Roman city can still be found including the Multangular Tower in the Museum Gardens. Most of today's city walls are however not from the Roman period.
After the fall of Rome, the Vikings conquered the city and made in their capital in AD 866. The Viking name for York was Jorvik and this word still echos throughout the city today, especially in the world famous Jorvik Viking Centre.
The Viking era left its mark on York with many of today's street names ending in Gate (from the Viking word gata meaning street).
York's Bar Walls are of mediveval construction and are the longest town walls in England, they surround the city and are entered through various gates known as bars. Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar and Micklegate Bar all still serve as entry points to today's city. Today you can walk the walls and see many of the city's historical attractions.
Photo: English Heritage
The Normans constructed a series of castles in York, with Clifford's Tower standing proud on the site of one of the early castle keeps.
The most famous building in the city is York Minster, the largest gothic cathedral north of the Alps. The building began as a wooden church inside the Roman fortress but the present building dates back to the year 1230. This proud building has stood, but not always stood strong for centuries. In the 1960s parts of the building were found to be at risk of collapse. During underpinning remains from the Roman period were found under the building and they now feature in an exhbition about the history of the site. In 1984 York Minster was almost destroyed when fire ripped through the South Transept. Over 100 firefighters fought to save the building and it was since been carefully restored.
Photo: Canva
York is also known as The Chocolate City after the Rowntrees and Terry's brands established factories in the city and although Terry's no longer operates in York the smell of Kit Kats does still waft through the air!
Today York is a mecca for tourism, trade and history.
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