Latest news with #MuseumGardens
Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
'Void' opens up in middle of UK city and archaeologists find sinister discovery
The void was opened after workers tried to repair a sinkhole on St Leonard's Place in York and is said to contain what is believed to be part of a 12th-13th century hospital A remarkable discovery has been made at the site of a former Roman legionary fortress, prompting archaeologists to investigate. The find was located in the middle of the road outside York Theatre Royal. The void was revealed when workers attempted to mend a sinkhole on St Leonard's Place and is thought to contain remnants of a hospital from the 12th-13th century. The site extended from what is now Museum Gardens to the Theatre Royal and after the reformation, it served as the Royal Mint. The location was given the medieval moniker of Mint Yard and was razed several centuries ago before a road was constructed over it. The area was secured prior to contractors and archaeological teams commencing their investigative work. To ensure the safety of workers, traffic and the public, a lane closure was implemented, reports the Express. York Council confirmed findings have been documented in accordance with CIFA standards and photographs have been taken for further analysis. Councillor Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport, expressed her gratitude for the public's patience, acknowledging that these emergency works have caused disruption to residents, visitors and bus operators. She said: "We knew that there is a lot of complex archaeology in the area dating back to the Roman legionary fortress. Throughout the works, we have been live to this while doing all we can to get off-site as quickly as possible. However these finds, while fascinating, have set our timescales back a bit. "We will continue to share updates as the work progresses. At peak times the inner ring road is very busy so we're asking people to plan ahead, use the outer ring road to traverse the city where possible and consider other ways to travel to the city centre. That includes getting the bus, walking or cycling. While some buses are being diverted they will continue to serve communities across the city." The area became a new Georgian streetscape in 1836 and was soon one of the most fashionable parts of the city at the time. The demolished parts of the city walls were then used to create a base for their new road, which is now known as St Leonard's Place. Nowadays, the road which sits atop of the former St Leonard's Hospital is a major thoroughfare for commuters and is known for its elegant architecture.
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Workers make unexpected discovery during emergency sinkhole repairs
Remnants of what is believed to be St Leonard's Hospital, one of the largest medieval hospitals in the north of England, have been discovered in York. The archaeological find occurred during emergency repairs to a sinkhole outside York's Theatre Royal on St Leonard's Place. Dating from the 12th to 13th century, St Leonard's Hospital replaced an earlier institution and stretched from York's Museum Gardens to the Theatre Royal. The hospital provided care for the unwell, elderly, and condemned, and also fed the poor and prisoners in York Castle. St Leonard's Hospital was largely destroyed during the Reformation, leaving York without a hospital until 1740.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
City roadworks uncover medieval hospital remains
Historic remains believed to be part of one of the largest medieval hospitals in the north of England have been uncovered during emergency roadworks in York. The works began after a sinkhole opened up outside the Theatre Royal on St Leonard's Place in May. After further investigation, archaeologists uncovered what is believed to be part of the 12th to13th Century St Leonard's Hospital, which covered an area between the modern day Museum Gardens and the theatre. Councillor Kate Ravilious, executive member for transport, said the finds were "fascinating" but admitted they had delayed the completion of the roadworks. "We knew that there is a lot of complex archaeology in the area dating back to the Roman legionary fortress," she said. "Throughout the works we have been live to this while doing all we can to get off site as quickly as possible." The area around the discovery was used as the Royal Mint in the post-Reformation era. The finds, which have been documented and sent for further analysis, are believed to become part of the Mint Yard, a sprawling area of streets and buildings in the early 19th Century. The buildings were flattened in 1836 to make way for a Georgian streetscape and the area became one of the most fashionable parts of the city during the time period. Demolished parts of the city walls were used to make the base for the road. Repair works are now able to resume, but the current closure of one lane on St Leonard's Place will remain until 13 June, when it is anticipated both lanes will reopen. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. 'Urgent investigation' into sinkhole - council Medieval artefacts found during bridge demolition City of York Council
