Shambles Street

Shambles is the most famous and oldest street in York, also considered the most picturesque in Great Britain. To a large extent, it has remained unchanged since the Middle Ages, and the oldest buildings date back to the 14th century. You can see many wooden-frame houses here, as well as numerous signboards left over from the butcher's shops that used to exist here. The Shambles also houses the Sanctuary of St. Małgorzata Clitherow.

Originally the street was called The Great Flesh Shambles, derived from the Old English word "fleshammels". It marked the shelves on which butchers placed meat goods. Even in the first half of the 19th century, there were 25 butcher shops on the street, today only old signboards remain, and in some places also interior fittings, such as hooks or shelves.

The story of Małgorzata Clitherow is also connected with the Shambles. As a Catholic, she was martyred in 1586 during the extensive persecution taking place in the country at that time.