Kirkstall Abbey: The most important historic building in Leeds
The most important historic building in Leeds, the abbey was constructed between 1152 and 1182 on a bank of the River Aire, and for 357 years it formed a community of hundreds of Cistercian monks and lay brothers. It was established as a “daughter-house” of Fountains Abbey near Ripon.
Wandering around the church’s blackened shell and other ruins today it is still possible to imagine the great hive of activity that eventually gave birth to the city of Leeds.
Like Fountains Abbey, the abbey managed huge flocks of sheep and its early woollen and fulling mills formed the basis of the Leeds cloth industry and market which later grew to prominence.
The church is 200ft in length with eight columned arches.
The tower is not the original 12th century structure but dates from 1509-27. Its north-west wall collapsed in 1779.
On either side of the tower are the transepts, the most fascinating feature of the south transcept being “night stairs” used by monks to reach the choir from their dormitory when they attended night vigils.
Cloisters form the most tranquil corner of the abbey, a square where monks would sit reading and writing in good weather.
The chapter house has a number of carved arches and pillars and some stone coffins.
In common with the other great abbeys, Kirkstall was closed down in the Dissolution of 1539 and stripped of its windows, roofs and much of the stonework by local builders.
A few centuries later famous visitors included the artist J.M.W. Turner and the poet Robert Southey.
Despite having a major city on its doorstep the abbey and grounds have managed to retain a peaceful atmosphere and form the centrepiece of a country park.
Some historians prefer its structure to that of other famous Yorkshire abbeys including Fountains and Rievaulx.