The Cloisters
191st Street in Manhattan, in Fort Tryon Park
West 190th Street station (A train)
212-923-3700
Perched high above the Hudson River and tucked away in Fort Tryon Park is the Cloisters, a marvelous museum dedicated to medieval art and architecture. The Cloisters has one of the world's most extensive collections of art and artifacts from the period between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries. Byzantine, early Christian, Romanesque, and Gothic works are all represented in this site, run by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Silver, enamels, stained glass, metalwork, ivories, jewelry, and fifteenth-century manuscripts are all on exhibit. Among the many highlights are the renowned fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Unicorn Tapestries. From the galleries, you can stroll out into the lavish gardens with their rich and varied plant life. The building, which opened in 1938, is unusual in that it was built to include cloisters (courtyards from places devoted to religious seclusion) from real French monasteries. Special programs, gallery talks, and other free presentations are held on Saturdays. After your journey to the past, you will want to explore the grounds surrounding the sprawling structure, Fort Tryon Park.
Every fall, Fort Tryon Park transforms into a medieval town for the annual medieval festival. It features music and dance, magic and minstrels, jugglers and jesters, free jousts, and vendors demonstrating and selling handicrafts and medieval wear. Info at 212-795-1600 or
The Cloisters is upper Manhattan's foremost sight and worth the trip. There is a wonderful gift shop on the premises that is always well stocked with knight and princess paraphernalia for kids, and it's all quite affordable.
Hours and FeesThe museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30
