Archway under Monk Bar

Visited 19 March 2006

This is still the only way into the North Side of old York.  Before it was torn down, a barbican would have protected the far side of the entrance with a four sided building suitable for dumping burning oil or whatever on attackers.

Like the three other major York gates, Monk Bar first served as a defense but later turned into a toll booth.  The bishop was entitled to some revenue from these tolls, perhaps from this gate (giving it its name?)

Lost? If so, click here for a good map of the York Walls (in PDF format)

For more narrative on York, see our description web page by clicking here.