The loftiest and strongest of York's medieval gateways, Monk Bar was erected in about 1330 to replace a previous city entrance on the site of an original Roman Gate. The clergy appear to have complained about a main road crossing the Minster Close, so this self-contained little fortress was built further to the south-east. The upper storey was added in the 15th century. The barbican has gone, but an interesting surviving feature is the external gallery complete with 'murder-holes'.

Today the gate houses a small museum tracing the life of the popular Yorkist, King Richard III and run by the Richard III Society. There is particular emphasis on an examination of his supposed involvement in the murder of the 'Princes in the Tower'. You can also see the old portcullis in full working order and the turret room prison cells used for recusant Catholics and mutinous apprentices in the 16th century.

Next Stop: Goodramgate

York Shortcuts Roman Remains City Walls Monk Bar Goodramgate Bedern Chapel & Hall St. William's College York Minster Treasurer's House Dean's Park Minster Library Minster Yard Constantine's Statue Petergate St. Michael Le Belfry Bootham Bar City Art Gallery King's Manor De Grey Rooms Theatre Royal St. Leonard's Hospital Museum Gardens Multangular Tower Anglian Tower Yorkshire Museum St. Mary's Chapter House St. Mary's Abbey St. Mary's Hospitium St. Olave's Assembly Rooms Stonegate Snickelways Barley Hall St. Hel Square Mansion House Guildhall St. Martin Le Grand Roman Baths St. Sampson's Parliament Street King's Square Shambles Ghost Walks St. Crux Parish Room Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate All Saints' Pavement Archaeological Resource Centre Coppergate Jorvik Viking Centre Merchant Adventurers' Hall Dick Turpin's Grave Walmgate Bar York Story Fairfax House York Dungeon Clifford's Tower York Castle Museum Dick Turpin's Cell National Railway Museum Micklegate Bar York Races Bishopthorpe Palace

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