Clifford's Tower and it's views, York Castle- York Castle Museum, Crown Court, Tower Street, York & Selby Magistrates Court
Clifford's Tower is the most wellknown ruins of the destroyed York Castle, originally built in 1068 by William the Conqueror to dominate the former Viking city of York. The fortified castle housed prisons, law courts and other buildings. Clifford's Tower is a national monument, and was the keep of York Castle. It stands on a hill one block from the river and is a popular tourist attraction that offers views of the city while you walk 360 degrees on top of its walls. It was the place for the Siege of York in 1644 and the Jewish massacre in 1190. The first floor includes a richly decorated chapel, once an apartment. The tower was originally built in the middle ages, but the current structure is a reconstruction form 1643, and already in 1684 large parts were destroyed in an explosion. The purpose of the tower is unsure, but many historicans believe it was built for the Royal family, but they rarely visited the tower so it was used to store valuable goods. It is believed to have been designed by the same architect as Westminster Abbey in London, Master Henry de Reyns. York Castle Museum is housed in former prison building (opposite the tower), built in the 18th century in neo-classical style. Here you find a recreated Victorian street, a history of toys, an exhibition about WWI and a display about life in prison. Right next is the Crown Court, from the 18th century built in similar style. The reconstructed Raindale Mill faces the river. |