The Roman Column
The Roman Column
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Re-erected next to the Minster, this 22-foot-high Roman column is a remnant from an old Roman fortress, which serves as a reminder that a huge Roman hall (or Principia) once occupied the site where the Minster now stands.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
93 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
37
Average
32
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4
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0
Neil K
Liverpool, UK618,848 contributions
Mar 2022
In the shadow of York Minster you will find a stunning example of York's Roman past with The Roman Column.
Discovered during excavations in 1969 ,archeologists dedicated to the city in 1972 to mark the 1900th anniversary of the founding of York.
As impressive as the column is ,standing 9.5 metres high ,it's a landmark structure ,well known throughout York but apparently it stands the wrong way up ,it's a Grade II listed structure and very photogenic and adds to the joy of walking around Minster Yard.
Discovered during excavations in 1969 ,archeologists dedicated to the city in 1972 to mark the 1900th anniversary of the founding of York.
As impressive as the column is ,standing 9.5 metres high ,it's a landmark structure ,well known throughout York but apparently it stands the wrong way up ,it's a Grade II listed structure and very photogenic and adds to the joy of walking around Minster Yard.
Written March 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandygranny
Sandy, UK966 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
This is a well preserved 9.5 metre high Roman column with a plaque which stands on a square plinth in a paved area outside York Minster, opposite the Constantine Statue. The column was found lying on its side in the foundations of York Minster in 1969. It was in pieces and originally formed part of the basilica of a Roman fortress. There were originally 16 columns in the building and it is believed that it would have been where Constantine was declared Emperor in A.D. 306. Part of that building was built over by the Minster and it must have been really huge considering the size of the column. It is a piece of Roman history worth a look, even though it is said to have been re-erected upside down.
In 1971 the Dean of York Minster donated the column to the York Civic Trust, who had it moved to its current location. The plaque on the column explains its history and the quotation reads: -
‘THIS ROMAN COLUMN ONCE STOOD WITHIN THE GREAT HALL OF THE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING OF THE FORTRESS OF THE SIXTH LEGION (WHOSE EMBLEM WAS A BULL) IN THE FOURTH CENTURY A.D. IT WAS FOUND IN 1969 DURING THE EXCAVATION OF THE SOUTH TRANSEPT OF THE MINSTER, LYING WHERE IT HAD COLLAPSED. IT WAS GIVEN BY THE DEAN AND CHAPTER TO THE YORK CIVIC TRUST WHO IN 1971 ERECTED IT ON THIS SITE TO MARK THE 1900TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE CITY BY THE ROMANS IN A.D. 71’.
In 1983 the column became an English Heritage Grade II listed building.
The Roman Column is worth seeing and there were lots of tourists having their photos taken next to it.
In 1971 the Dean of York Minster donated the column to the York Civic Trust, who had it moved to its current location. The plaque on the column explains its history and the quotation reads: -
‘THIS ROMAN COLUMN ONCE STOOD WITHIN THE GREAT HALL OF THE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING OF THE FORTRESS OF THE SIXTH LEGION (WHOSE EMBLEM WAS A BULL) IN THE FOURTH CENTURY A.D. IT WAS FOUND IN 1969 DURING THE EXCAVATION OF THE SOUTH TRANSEPT OF THE MINSTER, LYING WHERE IT HAD COLLAPSED. IT WAS GIVEN BY THE DEAN AND CHAPTER TO THE YORK CIVIC TRUST WHO IN 1971 ERECTED IT ON THIS SITE TO MARK THE 1900TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE CITY BY THE ROMANS IN A.D. 71’.
In 1983 the column became an English Heritage Grade II listed building.
The Roman Column is worth seeing and there were lots of tourists having their photos taken next to it.
Written March 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IrishRover
Pittsburgh, PA2,964 contributions
Apr 2021 • Solo
If you are visiting the Cathedral you will walk right past it it’s an interesting piece of history but not worth a special trip
Written April 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil K
Liverpool, UK618,848 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
The Roman Column is a powerful reminder of the influence that Rome had not just on York but Great Britain and large swathes of the world.
The column is in a prime location near the wonderful Minster and the fascinating statue of Constantine sitting contemplativly.
My imagination runs riot at the thought of the Roman occupation, seeing the column and touching it was a real treat .
I am a total history buff I've ,had some great holidays in Rome were this type of ruin is commonplace,the fact that it's here in the UK makes it more the better.
Easy to locate on Treasurers House Minister House.
Well worth checking out.
The column is in a prime location near the wonderful Minster and the fascinating statue of Constantine sitting contemplativly.
My imagination runs riot at the thought of the Roman occupation, seeing the column and touching it was a real treat .
I am a total history buff I've ,had some great holidays in Rome were this type of ruin is commonplace,the fact that it's here in the UK makes it more the better.
Easy to locate on Treasurers House Minister House.
Well worth checking out.
Written July 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
canyouplay0
York, UK75 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
York Minster is the cultural and religious heart of York, and it is remarkable that there are two unique Roman monuments just right outside and opposite each other. This is one of the best preserved Roman columns from the historical basement of the Minster and this just says it all. Must-see for all history buffs and the whole surrounding outside the Minster is fantastic.
Written February 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellebee
Southport, UK1,157 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
Not much to say about this imposing roman column which I gather was excavated a few years ago and is in front of the minster. I was told it was put in place upside down but I don't know if it's true and hard to tell!
Written April 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Malc-at-York
York, UK91 contributions
Oct 2012 • Solo
Even though it’s been mounted upside down, this is not noticeable to the uninformed! It was apparently found nearby and belonged to the Principia (the main roman headquarters building), part of which was built-over by the Minster. To walk past something that’s getting on for 2000 years old, almost in its original position, and yet can be so easily missed, is just another example of how much history there is scattered about in York (it’s everywhere)!
Written November 18, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheHonestExplorer
Rhuddlan, UK551 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
great bit of history next to York minster. the Romans built this and it is still standing! wonderful architecture.
Written December 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaybird
Chesterfield, UK3,334 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
While acknowledging the history behind this column Yourk is so full of wonderful historic buildings that a simple column does kind of fade into insignificance but, if visiting the Minster you may as well have a look at it
Written September 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
waldorf53
Lytham St Anne's, UK1,420 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
This is located near the Minster and the Constantine statue. It looks lost as though no one knows what to do with it.
Written July 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Roman Column
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The Roman Column Information
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