The Cloisters
Celebrating the art and
architecture of medieval Europe, the Cloisters is located on Hudson River
Valley parkland north of New York City. Originally assembled by an American
sculptor, George Grey Barnard, the collection was eventually purchased by John
D. Rockefeller and is now a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The
building, which looks very much like a medieval monastery, was actually
constructed in the 1930s using the walls, columns, altars, etc., of real European churches. As a result, the Cloisters provides a peaceful and rather historically-convincing
sanctuary away from city life, well worth the long subway or bus ride outside NYC.
The cloisters, themselves,
are four-sided architectural features that include a covered walkway
surrounding an open courtyard or garden. Despite an unusually cold winter, the gardens
were filled with flowers and other flourishing plants. A beautiful day to refresh
one’s soul.
The central Cuxa Cloister
Column detail
Smaller over-grown garden cloister
Langdon Chapel, constructed with 12th-century
limestone blocks and sculptures from a church in France
Lots of statues of the Virgin and baby Jesus
Eery half-statue of a religious leader
Baby Jesus with apple
World-famous 15th-century unicorn tapestry
donated by John D. Rockefeller
Medieval crypts
View of the Hudson River
Leaving the Cloisters
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