The museum’s cloister leads to galleries
Even if it weren’t the branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to medieval art, the Cloisters’ location alone would inspire. It rises from a promontory high above the Hudson River, in Fort Tryon Park on the northern tip of Manhattan. The cliffs of the New Jersey Palisades are visible on the opposite shore.
The Met Cloisters’ architectural elements—including chapels, sections of monastic cloisters, and chapter house—date from the 12th through 15th centuries. They were brought from various sites in France and reconstructed between 1935 and 1938, when the museum opened to the public.
Its collections comprise incomparable medieval objects such as the renowned illuminated book The Belles Heures of Jean de France, duc de Berry; the allegorical Unicorn Tapestries; and exquisite stained glass chapel windows, stone sculptures, painted icons, and a carved ivory cross. The Treasury exhibit space houses priceless pieces meant for liturgical celebrations, personal devotions, and secular uses.
Free time is available to wander through serene interior spaces or to sit and contemplate in one of the three gardens that were planted following medieval designs. There is also an excellent gift shop.
A boxed lunch is served en route to New York, and there is time to purchase an evening meal on the return trip. Art historian Ursula Wolfman leads the tour.
Fringe stop at about 7:25 a.m.
The program requires a significant amount of walking, including a cobblestone ramp and stairs; elevators are only available by request.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit*
*Enrolled participants in the World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit. Not yet enrolled? Learn about the program, its benefits, and how to register here.
