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ANCIENT MONUMENT

When was York Minster built, how big is the cathedral and when did a fire destroy its roof?

The utterly ancient and massive structure in York is the best example of its kind in the world.

York Minster towering above the historic city of York in northern England

IT’S the largest cathedral in Britain and one of the biggest in the world.

York Minster towers above all structures in the land, reaching 235ft tall at its highest point.

 York Minster towering above the historic city of York in northern England
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York Minster towering above the historic city of York in northern EnglandCredit: Alamy

When was York Minster built?

The enormous cathedral dates back to 627AD when King Edwin of Northumbria was baptised in a simple wooden church at York within the site of the old Roman fort.

It was rebuilt in stone and completed by King Oswald but the bishop's seat was transferred for a time to Lindisfarne.

The minster was rebuilt again in 664AD. And again after a fire in 741AD.

The Norman siege of the York in 1069 destroyed it again.

It was repaired and added to two years later.

For the next 400 years it was added to with the central tower built in 1405 to 1415.

 York's cathedral, although known as a minster, is officially the 'Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter in York'
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York's cathedral, although known as a minster, is officially the 'Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St Peter in York'Credit: PA:Press Association

How big is the cathedral?

York Minster is one of the largest of its kind in Europe.

It is 524ft long and at its highest point, the central tower, it is 235ft tall.

When did a fire destroy its roof?

York Minster was hit by fire in 1984 after being hit by a lightning strike.

Crews from across North Yorkshire were called to the scene, with 114 firefighters tackling the blaze.

None was hurt.

But the historic building was left badly damaged.

The roof of the south transept was completely destroyed and cost £2.5million to repair at the time which in today's money is about £7.6m.


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