The city of York is famous for it's city walls (amongst other things), but it isn't the only walled enclosure of land. The area around St Mary's Abbey was also walled, and this shot marks the south-west corner of that wall. It runs north-east from here up towards Bootham, with Marygate running just outside the walls.
Marygate Landing Tower, also known as Marygate Water Tower, is part of the remains of the defensive precinct walls of St Mary’s Abbey, which survive on the north-west and north-east sides of the Abbey Precinct. The walls were erected in 1266, then raised, crenellated and extended in 1318. The Water Tower and St Mary’s Tower, at the other end of Marygate, were erected in 1324. A pedestrian arch was added beside the Water Tower circa 1836. The tower exterior is circular in plan, but the interior is hexagonal, with a single opening to each inner face. The Towers and The Abbey Walls are a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
This shot contains further interesting pieces of history.Just behind the tower is the Hospitium. It is a 14th century two storey building, with the upper floor being timber framed. It was origially built to house guests of the abbey. Over the centuries it has had many uses. Today it is a popular venue for weddings and conferences.
Towering over the scene you can just see the tops of the west towers of York Minster. I think I need to take this shot again in the winter when they will be more visible.
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Thank you for your comments and favs, they are much appreciated. Ian has read them all and left me pictures to post while he visits his mum.
Katharine
Katharine