Monk Bar

Dating from the 14th century, this is the tallest and strongest of the four main bars – essentially a self-contained fortress. It was built on the site of a previous gatehouse that marked one of four entrances to the Roman fortress.

The original bar had a gated barbican, of which only the portcullis remains – in working order. ‘Murder holes’ allowed defenders to bombard attacking forces with missiles and debris. Two medieval toilets (‘garderobes’) were also installed and have survived.

The outward-facing wall includes the coat of arms of the City of York and the royal arms of England and France.

Now consisting of four floors, the bar has been used as a house, a prison and a police house. It currently houses a Richard III museum, accessible from street level via a flight of extremely narrow and steep stairs.