Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds, Yorkshire, England

Kirkstall Abbey is a ruined Cisterian monastery in Kirkstall, north-west of the city centre of Leeds in West Yorkshire. It was founded by the monks in 1152 and it was closed under the Dissolution of the Monasteries by 1539 under the orders of King Henry VIII.

The Abbey has an interesting history, particularly in regards to its foundations in Barnoldswick in 1147 when 12 monks and 10 laymen from Fountains Abbey settled there on land given by Henry de Lacy, baron of Pontefract and their move to Kirkstall on 19 May 1152. (More information on the history of the Abbey can be found at The Cisterians in Yorkshire).

It is arguably one of the best preserved archaelogical sites in the United Kingdom and has been a source of inspiration for many famous artists, including JMW Turner and Thomas Girton.

Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds, Yorkshire, England 

by OldeWorldGifts

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Vintage photomechanical of Kirkstall Abbey in leeds, West Yorkshire, England, which was taken towards the end of the 19th century. The photograph features the ruins of the Cistercian monastery which was founded in 1152. Photograph courtesy LOC (LC-DIG-ppmsc-09037). Visit OldeWorldGifts to see the wonderful range of products featuring this lovely photochrom of Kirkstall Abbey.