Cities such as London, Oxford, Manchester, Liverpool are known throughout the world and are the most popular cities in England. York, a city in the UK, unfortunately, is not familiar to everyone. And this is really unfair, since the atmosphere of this small city will win the heart of any of its guests. It impresses not only with its magnificent nature and architecture, but also with the spirit of history in the air.
origin of name
There is evidence of people living in the modern city of York already during the Mesolithic. And the sources call the official date of the founding of the city 71 year of our era. This event was preceded by the subjugation of the brigants by the ninth legion. In honor of their victory, they built a wooden fortress near the confluence of the rivers Uza and Foss.
The amazing city of Great Britain York got its original name from the Romans. Its roots go back to Latin, and initially it sounded like Eboracum. There is no official translation of this word, but there are speculations that it could mean "the area in which yew trees grow" or "Eborasa field."
In 866, after the capture of the Vikings, the city was renamed, its new name was Jorvik. At the same time, he became the capital of the Kingdom of Yorkshire.
And only after the Normans conquered the territory of England, he gained the name familiar to modern people - the city of York. In the UK, the very first mention of it already under its modern name appeared in the 18th century.
History of the city
York is a medieval English city. In the UK there are many cities that have kept castles and cathedrals on their territory, but York can rightfully receive the title of a city-history. For almost 2 thousand years, York was the capital of the north. It is not surprising that George the Sixth himself called the history of this city a reflection of the history of all of England.
After the city was founded in 71, the Romans assigned him an important mission, setting up a military base in it. He was such until the beginning of the 7th century, when Archbishop Paulinus opened a new direction in it, bringing the Christian religion to the city. As a result, in 627 AD, the first cathedral was erected. Later, the city of York in the UK, according to information, also became an educational center.
Over time, the city gained new statuses, including the administrative center and the residence of the archbishop. Prior to mass industrialization, the city of York in the UK was second only to London in economic development and importance.
Thus, in the process of active industrialization, some cities overtook York, however, this did not prevent him from preserving his uniqueness.
Population
Statistical detailed information about the city of York in the UK can be difficult to find, because it is very small, it is impossible to compare with megacities. At present, about 208,400 residents live in the city, and the population density is 687 people per square kilometer. More than 90% are representatives of the Caucasian race.
The able-bodied population accounts for about 65% of all residents. The average wage is lower than the average in the UK. Perhaps for this reason, many residents prefer to work in neighboring cities.
According to available information, York is a city in the UK that boasts a truly open and welcoming population. Here, people are always happy to help and, most importantly, there is virtually no crime on the streets.
Economic status
Despite the fact that York is not a financial or industrial center, yet it has its own special place of economic importance for England. This city is deservedly a center of communications and manufacture. This proves that there is a large railway junction on its territory, and from the station in a short time you can get to London, Edinburgh and Manchester.
Of the largest organizations here have their headquarters CPP Group, Persimmon plc., And also here is located the world famous chocolate factory Kit Kat.
The city successfully operates hundreds of shops and boutiques. The most important purchases for which people come from different parts of the world are antiques.
Major Attractions
What is worth visiting this city for? Of course, for the sights of York. Cities in the UK are rich in unique architectural objects, but it is York that can completely immerse its guest in a medieval atmosphere.
The cathedral can rightfully be called the main attraction of the city. Its construction lasted almost four hundred years. It is not surprising that for such a long time the buildings in it mixed several different styles at once. After all, if the central building began to be built in 1291, then the construction of the western towers falls on 1472.
The cathedral is the largest among the cathedrals of medieval time in England. He also holds the status of one of the largest Gothic-style churches in Europe.
St. William's College in York is famous for its exhibition collection of church utensils, the oldest exhibits created in the 12th century AD.
In order to plunge into the time of the Vikings, just look into the Jorvik Viking Center. In this museum you can see expositions of more than forty thousand artifacts, which include not only tools, household items of the Viking times, but even the remains of buildings. The museum was created in 1984, and today it has already received more than twenty million visitors.
The city walls of York, with which it has been surrounded since the time of the Romans, also cause considerable interest of tourists. Moreover, they can boast of the greatest length among similar walls in England.
It is undeniable that York is the most beautiful city in the UK, or at least one of the most beautiful. Among its attractions, you can also highlight the Museum of Railway Transport, the Royal York Theater, the Millennium Bridge and many others.
Architecture
Each of the aforementioned sights of the city has a unique architectural style of medieval time.
In York, it is enough just to walk along the streets to feel yourself in the past, the style of buildings creates this unusual atmosphere. On the street of Chambles, one can still see well-preserved houses in which artisans lived several centuries ago. No wonder it bears the name, which translates as "butchers", because representatives of this profession often built their homes here.
Stougate Street is full of shops and shops. A sort of local Arbat. Even the signs in shops and pubs are distinguished by Gothic antique style. Surprisingly, here you can find institutions that have been operating since the 17th century. At the same time, they try to keep the interior of that time to the maximum.
Geography and climate
York is located at the confluence of two rivers. Therefore, it is not surprising that they surround it for the most part of the land of agricultural significance.
The climate here is not too different from that in other regions of the UK. It is characterized by mild and warm winter months and not very hot summers. The coldest temperature of the year rarely drops below zero.
Precipitation falls within the normal range. Problems such as aridity and an abundance of rain or snow are not encountered here.
Traditional festivals
In addition to the generally accepted holidays, York has its own, formed as a result of the historical development of the city.
The Viking Festival is very famous among tourists in England. It is held at the beginning of the year, in the month of February. These days, the modern city of York turns into Jorvik and acquires the status of the Viking capital, which it was in the 9-10th centuries.
Modern shops are replaced by street vendors and artisans, Viking dwellings fully equipped with their household items appear on the streets, and roving musicians play in the squares. People pacing the streets in medieval clothes during this period do not cause any surprise. York is a city in the UK that can give you the opportunity to literally touch history, because at the festival you can not only taste the food of the Vikings, but also see theatrical battles and various ceremonies.
Another exciting period of the year for residents of York is the gastronomic festival. The time of its holding falls on the golden time, namely September. During this period of time, York is literally immersed in the aromas that come from literally every cafe and restaurant.
The festival provides an opportunity not only to try new dishes that are specially developed for its holding, but also to attend various culinary master classes and farm food fairs. The variety of tastes and aromas at the gastronomic festival will not leave anyone indifferent.
Entertainment
Here, as in many European cities, Christmas is especially special. Decoration, gifts, fun - this is what local residents are preparing with special responsibility.
In general, entertainment in the evening in York is bright and cheerful, often they have any thematic focus. For example: balls, theater plays, Viking festivities. Finding a place to relax is easy. There are so many entertainment venues in the city, especially pubs, that you can visit a new one every day.
When is the best season to travel
Since York is not one of the most popular tourist resorts, it does not have a specific recommended visiting season. But if you rely on the climate, the most favorable period is the end of spring and summer. It was at this time that the city kept warm weather, and nature pleases the eye with abundant greenery and flowers.
In the summer months, rainfall is not common, which means you don’t have to worry that rain or thunder will ruin the long-awaited trip.
It is such a tempting and atmospheric city that every self-respecting tourist should take a photo in the city of York in the UK against the background of the famous cathedrals and walls.