Monk Bar

Monk Bar is the tallest and most ornate of the four medieval gateways built into the city walls of York. You can identify it by its height and its distinctive four-story structure, which was completed in the late fifteenth century after King Richard the Third ordered the addition of the topmost floor. The gateway is constructed of magnesium limestone and stands at the north end of Goodramgate as a self-contained fortress. Each of its levels was designed to be defended independently, and the stone gallery above the main arch features murder holes once used to drop heavy objects or liquids on anyone attempting an unauthorized entry.