York Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror to fight the Vikings for control of York.

Much of the castle has been destroyed over the years since its time as the center of government for Northern England, but the largest remaining part is Clifford’s Tower, which is most famous for the mass suicide of 150 members of the Jewish community, who were besieged there in the year 1160. In the years since, the tower has been used as everything from a jail to a cattle shed. Clifford’s Tower is open daily to visitors from 10:00am until 6:00pm.

York, Tower St, York YO1 9SA, UK, Phone: +44-37-03-33-11-81

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