York City Walls, York (must see)

The York City Walls in York are a historic and extensive fortification that has surrounded the city since Roman times. Today, York boasts more miles of intact walls than any other city in England, known collectively as the York City Walls, the Bar Walls, or, less accurately, the Roman Walls. The latter term is a misnomer since the majority of the surviving structure is not of Roman origin, and the layout of the walls has significantly evolved since the Roman period.

These walls originally date back to around 71 AD when the Romans built a wooden fort near the River Ouse, covering approximately 50 acres. The fort's rectangular boundary was integral to its defensive strategy. However, these early fortifications proved inadequate during the Viking invasions, necessitating the construction of more robust defenses.

Between the 12th and 14th centuries, a new stone wall was erected, utilizing the foundations of the old Roman walls and extending southwards across both sides of the Rivers Ouse and Foss. This expansion effectively enclosed the city, enhancing its defense against future threats. Today, the walls stand about 13 feet high and 6 feet wide, a testament to medieval engineering and strategic planning.

Access to the city is controlled through four main gates, also known as "bars": Bootham Bar, Monk Bar, Walmgate Bar, and Micklegate Bar. These gates not only served as toll collection points in medieval times but also played crucial roles in the city’s defense during wartime. Each gate has its unique historical significance and architectural features, contributing to the overall heritage of York’s medieval city defenses.