Roman Column Outside the Minster - York, UK
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member dtrebilc
N 53° 57.699 W 001° 04.904
30U E 625849 N 5980958
This 9.5 metre high Roman column was originally found on its side in the foundations of York Minster.
Waymark Code: WME6PP
Location: Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/10/2012
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member wildwoodke
Views: 21
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As the date of York’s 1900th anniversary of its foundation approached, archaeological excavations were undertaken underneath York Minster's tower.

This column was found laying on its side, 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 AD 306.

The column was found in 1969 and in 1971 the Dean of York Minster donated it York Civic Trust who had it moved to its current location. They also placed a plaque on the column explaining its history.

It is a cylindrical column made from grit stone and stands on a square plinth. The moulded base is complete, but there has been some damage to the capital.

Having looked at this website (visit link) I would think it is a Tuscan column. It also says that Tuscan columns were considered appropriate in military architecture, which fits in with its original use.


In 1983 the column became an English Heritage Grade II listed building. (visit link)

This website about Roman York has a picture of the column as it lay under the minster. (visit link)

The quotation on the plaque reads

THIS ROMAN COLUMN ONCE STOOD WITHI N 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.
Documentation (website): [Web Link]

Type of Column: Tuscan

Location: Deangate just outside York Minster
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