Cloisters Museum

The Cloisters, also known as the Met Cloisters, is a specialized museum located within Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan, New York City. Situated on a steep hill straddling the Washington Heights and Inwood neighborhoods, the institution serves as a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The complex was constructed between 1935 and 1939 under the design of architect Charles Collens and officially opened to the public in May 1938. Its architectural style uniquely blends Romanesque and Gothic elements, recreating the atmosphere of medieval European monasteries through a series of authentic cloisters and chapels.

The historical significance of the site lies in its construction materials, which include five medieval cloisters acquired from France by sculptor George Grey Barnard before 1913. These structures, specifically the Cuxa, Saint-Guilhem, Bonnefont, and Trie-sur-Baïse cloisters, were dismantled, shipped to New York, and reassembled to form the core of the museum. The project was made possible by financier John D. Rockefeller Jr., who purchased Barnard's collection and funded the building's construction. Additional artworks were sourced from notable collectors such as J.P. Morgan and Joseph Brummer, creating a comprehensive assembly of medieval art and architecture.

Today, the museum remains in excellent condition and is recognized as both a New York City Landmark and a contributing property to the National Register of Historic Places. It houses an extensive collection of medieval artworks displayed within their intended architectural settings, featuring themed galleries like the Unicorn Tapestries room and the Fuentidueña Chapel. The site also includes meticulously maintained medieval gardens that complement the historic structures. As a premier destination for studying European art from the Romanesque and Gothic periods, The Cloisters continues to offer visitors an immersive experience into the Middle Ages amidst the modern landscape of New York City.