Jorvik the Viking City

Renowned throughout the world, JORVIK is an icon attraction for the city of York and is one of the most popular visitor attractions outside London. Welcoming over 13.5 million visitors over the past 20 years, the centre takes visitors through an authentic reconstruction of York in Viking times.

The centre opened in 1984, inspired by the famous Coppergate dig that took place from 1976 to 1981 and unearthed some of the finest Viking-Age artefacts ever discovered in York. It underwent an extensive £5 million redevelopment in 2001 to recreate the Viking-Age city of JORVIK, making it bigger and better than before.

JORVIK takes visitors on a journey back in time to experience exactly how York would have looked, sounded and event smelt on the 25th October AD975 at 5.30pm. Seated on state of the art time capsules visitors pass through streets and backyards, and journey into the heart of the commercial centre of 10th century Jorvik.

Owned by York Archaeological Trust, JORVIK aims to bring archaeology to life to the widest possible audience. Everything in JORVIK is based wholly on archaeological evidence unearthed during the Coppergate excavations, and is recreated in the most accurate detail. Millions of visitors have passed through the doors of JORVIK in its 20-year history, including many celebrities and world heads of state.

The centre hosts the popular ‘Fearsome Craftsmen’ exhibition and the newly opened JORVIK Gift shop. With a range of merchandise not found elsewhere, the gift shop offers a wide range of bespoke and exclusive products developed especially for JORVIK including beautifully crafted ceramics, glassware, Viking rune sets, a ‘Made in Yorkshire’ food range, as well as children’s sweets and souvenirs. Visitors can also purchase hot drinks and cakes.

THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE

JORVIK welcomes all its visitors to experience real history as never experienced before…

First, descend by stairs or lift through the countless layers of soil and rubbish that have built up since AD975 and go down to Viking levels (they are 5m deeper than modern York). Arriving here, consider now how generations of York residents have used this very patch of ground, with an introduction to the amazing archaeological discoveries of the York Archaeological Trust.

The excavation hoarding suddenly opens and you step into a new time machine, actually preparing to go backwards in time! This machine goes into warp mode, with the whole thing hurtling through time, meeting some interference along the way, but we hope, arriving at AD975 (or at least, somewhere close). As you go you can appreciate the fact that Viking-Age Jorvik is not some far-away place unrelated to the modern City of York; the time machine shows how the very streets of modern York are the same streets as those laid out by the Vikings, with even the plots of land the same. But the appearance of those streets, the buildings and the people who lived in them are quite, quite different from now.

Having nearly arrived in the Viking-Age, you disembark from the time machine, ready for the next part of the journey to the Viking-Age city itself. Echoes of the Vikings’ heroic past resound around you, and you ponder their might and majesty.

The latest technology then greets you as you board a new six-seater, 21st century time capsule, with on-board control computer, personalised sound system and self-select commentary. There are actually six choices: Toki, a Viking nine year old is ready and willing to show children his favourite haunts in the city, and there are adult commentaries in English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese. One capsule has been adapted for wheelchair use, and three companions can go on the same vehicle.

All set; language selected; off you go. First, a transition between the war-like early Viking era, then on to more peaceful times, and you can soon hear that the new high-rise city is being constructed. Through the trees by the River Foss, and immediately stretching away into the distance are row upon row of oak buildings, reconstructed precisely where they were found. All around you are the sounds of the city. People go about their business, animals scratch around the backyards, there’s noise and colour everywhere. You are now literally floating slowly and magically a few inches above the detritus of the riverbank in the suspended ride system, as you commence your journey into the midst of all this activity.

Views across the rooftops show the sheer scale of this city, which was, after all, the New York or Tokyo of its day.

As you go past the first building (C2), you see the comb maker outside his new workshop with its new oak walls and integral cellar. He is busy creating combs from bone and antler whilst his children play a board game nearby. Ahead lies one of the cruder, older wattle and daub buildings, not yet rebuilt (C1). This is on its last legs, the thatch old and covered in moss and weeds. Before it too is replaced, the comb maker has allowed his brother to carry on using it as a blacksmith’s workshop, and as you go past the doorway, a blast of heat hits you as you hear the distinctive sounds of metal being hammered.

Cross the fence and into tenement B. Here you may meet a man who makes wooden bowls on his pole lathe. He is busy turning these out, and probably won’t be able to stop for a chat. Through the buildings on your right you can catch glimpses of the street of Coppergate with all its traders and customers. But, first you have to go back down to the river bank and see a boat that has recently landed some exotic cargo from across the seas. The spectacular view down the vale of York across the River Foss is quite stunning, whilst the Viking-Age street of Walmgate stretches off to the left through the riverside foliage.

Then you turn again and go back up the tenement behind building A, past some rather revolting rubbish pits, and past a cess pit which is in use (along with full sounds and smells), then, into building A’s new cellar. As your eyes become accustomed to the gloom you realise that you are surrounded by barrels and other goods. You then rise up vertically from this cellar to the ground floor where the family is preparing the evening meal around the central hearth. The smell of dinner and wood smoke is pervasive, and the sound of the adults’ conversation mixes with that of the children as they sing their weaving songs on the left.

Emerging from this cosy interior, you are immediately struck by the hurly burly of Coppergate, at the core of the city’s commercial quarter. Look along the street and the buildings go off into the distance, front and back. On both sides, stallholders are trying to attract your attention so they can sell you something. Over the rooftops are the crumbling walls of the old Roman fortress, and through the smoke of countless hearths is the silhouette of York Minster of the late 10th century.

Then you come off the street and go backwards into another house (D1). This one has recently suffered a fire and is under repair. Through the charred floor you can see the oak-lined cellar, but wait a minute… your ability to remain in the 10th century seems to be weakening – are you slowly returning to the modern day? Those new timbers are now magically transforming themselves into the real oak walls that were found here in the 20th century, and have been preserved, stabilised and placed back in situ. You now find yourselves in the bustle of an archaeological excavation, surrounded by traces of buildings, cess pits, wooden fences and even the skeleton of an early inhabitant.

Senses pummelled, you will want some respite. Climbing from your capsule, there is time to catch your breath, but the emotional roller coaster has not yet finished! After looking at pieces of Viking-Age excrement and seeds and pips, enter the futuristic artefact gallery. First marvel at these ancient finds, still in pristine condition and much as they were on the day they were lost all those years ago by our Viking ancestors. But wait, this is no ordinary museum display… suddenly that ancient knife is in someone’s hand, that conserved leather boot is being worn again. Gradually, magically the ancient objects are all seen in context, just the way they were used all those years ago. This is like no other museum on earth. There are no labels to read, just watch the objects as they are first displayed in context and then in isolation, coming and going seamlessly, smoothly, using a quite stunning technique.

You will then pass through to the ‘Unearthed’ exhibition, which opened in January 2004. This exciting new exhibition examines Viking age bones and how archaeologists have been able to build up a picture of life, death, battle, disease, diet and occupation in 10th and 11th century York. Discover what helped a medieval footballing monk recover from a knee injury, how heather helps to protect against worms, or even how to tell the difference between a blade and an arrow wound on an X-ray.

Finally you return gently up the stairs to 21st century levels and can finish off your visit with a steaming cup of Café Direct coffee, tea or hot chocolate and a slice of cake, available in JORVIK’s new gift shop. With a range of merchandise not found elsewhere, the new bespoke and exclusive products developed especially for JORVIK are sure to appeal. Take a look at the beautifully crafted ceramics bowls, jugs, coffee pots, linen tableware, and glassware decorated with designs taken from the Viking and Anglo Saxon runic alphabets, or the elegant range of leather drinking vessels, gentleman’s study sets, and stationary items decorated with a design taken from a Viking disc brooch found at Coppergate. There is also a range of ‘Made in Yorkshire’ food range including cheese, pickles, jams, chutneys, cake, ice-cream, smoked fish, beer, wine and mead, as well as children’s sweets and souvenirs.

New Artefacts Alive Gallery at JORVIK

The artefacts Gallery at JORVIK currently contains over 400 Viking Age artefacts discovered during the famous Coppergate dig in York. Visitor feedback has shown that the objects are not well understood therefore a series of new installations will aim to enhance the display which will be open to the public in January 2006. The project, “Artefacts Alive”, consists of the creation of six new interactive multimedia installations and four talking “Viking Ghosts” which will be installed in the Artefacts Gallery to explain the displays.

The interactive multi-media installations will use 3 dimensional modelling, video excerpts, text, and accessible games, to describe the techniques of archaeological discovery, for example: methods of conservation and research. Viking inventions will also be explored contrasting them with modern day technologies; as well as the Viking use of medicine, diet, crafting techniques and Viking navigational methods. All six installations will use “Find Out More” screens that will allow visitors to find out more in depth information about the work of the York Archaeological Trust.

JORVIK is open daily excluding Christmas Day. During busy periods, pre-booking is recommended.

For bookings, call the Advance Bookings Line – 01904 543403 or the 24 Hour Information Line – 01904 643211. Email: enquiries@vikingjorvik.com or visit www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk

Dig! makes history with Millennium Backing

York Archaeological Trust, the same educational charity who developed the famous attraction JORVIK, were awarded a £750,000 funding grant from the Millennium Commission to develop a new tourist attraction in the centre of York. The Archaeological Resource Centre at St Saviours Church in York re-opened as Dig! in March 2006. JORVIK is currently in its 20th year and has recently welcomed the 14 Millionth visitor – York Archaeological Trust are confident that they can launch another innovative experience that will capture the public’s imagination as JORVIK does. Dig! will provide a unique and exciting archaeological experience. St Saviours will be transformed into a simulated archaeological investigation including an excavation, site hut, and science laboratory and research library. Visitors can excavate parts of a Roman fortress, Viking City, Medieval burial site and Victorian workers cottages.

For further information please contact: Karen Nixon, Tel: 01904 610077, email: karen@partners-group.co.uk

For any further information and your free guide to York please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the website at www.visityork.org

Press contact: Kay Hyde, PR Manager - First Stop York tourism partnership, Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org website: www.visityork.org