The city of York in Northern England is one of those places where you can feel the sense of being part of a long tradition of civilization. Having more than 2,000 years of history, York has witnessed the rise and fall of the Vikings, Romans, Normans, and Quakers... The well-preserved buildings and interesting artifacts are proof of the authenticity of York's historical significance.

The city was originally founded in 71 AD by the Romans. It was one of the most northern settlements of the Roman Empire. You can visit the remnants of a Roman bath, a Roman bridge over the river Ouse, and a Roman cemetery. Many archaeological finds are housed in the Yorkshire Museum.

The Vikings ruled York between 866 and 954 AD. Soon after the Roman Conquest, York was severely punished by William the Conqueror, because there had been an uprising there. During the Middle Ages, York was popular with the mystery plays from the Corpus Christi Cycle, performed on the streets. The Quaker movement also had a big influence on York because its members were holding key positions in the administrative and cultural life of the city.

Modern York is an important railway junction. The sugar industry there is well-developed, producing chocolate and refining sugar. Horse racing is very important, too. Yorkshire, the county in which York is the main city, has always been a symbol of Britishness. It is almost in the heart of the country, and carries all the signs of the British spirit.

Because of the widely varied history, the city has many places of interest. We recommend you visit the Archeological Resource Centre and see for yourself the development of civilization in this area.