Cloisters | New York

The Cloisters is a unique museum in New York City dedicated to the art, architecture, and gardens of medieval Europe. It's part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but it feels like a world apart — a quiet, contemplative space inspired by monastic life in the Middle Ages. Located in Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan, The Cloisters overlooks the Hudson River and is surrounded by serene gardens and woodlands.

1. Architectural Design and History

The museum was designed by architect Charles Collens and opened in 1938. Its construction was funded in large part by John D. Rockefeller Jr., who also donated land and works of art.

The building incorporates actual architectural elements (columns, doorways, cloisters, and windows) from five European monastic sites, primarily from France and Spain. These include:

Cuxa Cloister (12th century, from Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa, France) – Known for pink marble columns and a garden inspired by medieval monastic life.

Bonnefont Cloister (early 14th century, France) – Reconstructed with medicinal and culinary herbs.

Trie Cloister (15th century, France) – A peaceful courtyard, often blooming with flowers.

Saint-Guilhem Cloister (late 12th century, France) – Featuring finely carved capitals.

Chapter House from the abbey of Pontaut – Used for gatherings and discussions by monks.

The entire building was not simply constructed in a medieval style — it was assembled using genuine pieces from dismantled cloisters and churches, blended with modern masonry to create a coherent and atmospheric whole.

2. Art Collection Highlights

The Cloisters’ collection spans from the 9th to the 16th centuries, and many pieces are among the finest examples of medieval European art in the world.

Highlights include:

The Unicorn Tapestries (1495–1505): A world-famous set of seven wool-and-silk tapestries from the Netherlands, depicting the symbolic hunt, capture, and taming of a unicorn. Their meaning has fascinated scholars and visitors for centuries — blending Christian and secular iconography.

The Merode Altarpiece (~1427–1432): A triptych by Robert Campin (Master of Flémalle), depicting the Annunciation in a detailed Flemish domestic setting.

The Cloisters Cross (~1150): A large English ivory crucifix carved from walrus ivory, rich with iconography and intricate detail.

Stained Glass from the Abbey of Saint-Denis and Chartres Cathedral: These colorful medieval windows demonstrate the skill of Gothic artisans and the spiritual symbolism of light.

Sculpture and Architecture Fragments: Capitals, columns, sarcophagi, and friezes dating from the Romanesque and Gothic periods line the galleries.

Illuminated Manuscripts: Rare medieval books, often written in Latin and lavishly decorated with gold and colored inks.

3. Gardens and Plant Life

The Cloisters features three main gardens that are as meticulously curated as the art itself. These gardens are based on medieval texts such as herbals, devotional writings, and poetry, and are planted with species known to have been cultivated in monastic and noble gardens.

Herb Garden (Bonnefont Cloister): Features over 250 species of plants used in medieval Europe — for medicine, cooking, dyeing, and religious purposes.

Cuxa Cloister Garden: A more decorative garden with seasonal plantings, lavender, lilies, and other symbolic flowers that held spiritual or mythological meaning in the Middle Ages.

Trie Cloister Garden: Focused more on flowering plants, recreating the aesthetic of a medieval pleasure garden.

The gardens are not just ornamental — they form part of the museum's educational mission, showing how nature and spirituality were linked in medieval thought.

4. Atmosphere and Visitor Experience

Visiting The Cloisters is like stepping into another time. Its thick stone walls, dim lighting, and quiet courtyards create an atmosphere of reflection and calm. The museum is less crowded than other NYC institutions and is especially popular with those interested in art history, architecture, botany, and spiritual history.

The location in Fort Tryon Park offers panoramic views of the Hudson River and the Palisades, enhancing the sense of escape from urban life. Seasonal exhibitions, concerts of medieval music, and lectures are also held throughout the year.

5. Practical Information

Address: 99 Margaret Corbin Drive, Fort Tryon Park, New York, NY

Access: Best reached via the A train to 190th Street, then a short walk through the park.

Admission: Included with general Met Museum admission (pay-what-you-wish for NY state residents and students from NY, NJ, and CT).

In summary, The Cloisters is more than just a museum — it’s an immersive journey into medieval Europe, where architecture, art, nature, and spirituality come together in an exceptionally thoughtful and tranquil setting.