Photos: Pictures from The Cloisters

In Brief: America's only museum dedicated exclusively to medieval art, The Cloisters offers a wonderful museum experience, enveloping visitors in a the medieval ages. Gardens, tapestries, paintings and the cloisters themselves represent the diverse array of art that was created during this time, and the beautiful setting of Fort Tyron Park further enhances the visit.

About The Cloisters:

It's tough to believe you're still in Manhattan when you arrive in Fort Tyron Park and walk to the Cloisters -- surrounded by a beautiful park, with views of the Hudson River, it's easy to believe you've escaped from Manhattan, which makes the transformation into the Medieval Age that much easier. A gift of John D. Rockefeller to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cloisters is the only museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to medieval art.

Cloisters are covered walkways surrounding open courtyards. The Cloisters were created with pieces of five medieval cloisters incorporated into the museum's framework and offer visitors a beautiful place to relax and absorb the nearly 1,200 pieces of art on display.

The audio tour offers a great deal of insight and background for visitors interested in better understanding the pieces on display. Using the audio tour to learn more about pieces of interest, a visit to the The Cloisters can last about 1 hour or more. The Cloisters also hosts concerts and gallery talks.

The Cloisters Highlights

• The Dormition of the Virgin, 15th Century, Cologne Germany
• Decent of the Holy Spirit, mid-12th century, Meuse Valley, France
• The Unicorn Tapestries, 1495-1505, northern France
• The Cuxa Cloister, 12th Century, Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa monastery
• The Saint-Guilhem Cloister
• The Bonnefont Cloister
• The Trie Cloister

Essential Information about The Cloisters:

• Highlights Tours are offered daily at 3 p.m.(free with admission).
• Garden Tours are offers daily at 1 p.m. from May - October
• Accessibility to The Cloisters is limited for visitors with limited mobility due to stairs and narrow passages.
• There is free parking available.

The Cloisters Basics:

• Address: Fort Tyron Park
  New York, NY 10021
• Phone: 212-923-3700
• Nearest Subways: Take the A train to 190th Street, follow the signs to the Cloisters (10 minute walk through Fort Tyron Park) or transfer to the M4 bus.
• Official Website:The Cloisters

Admission Price:

• Adults $25; seniors $17; students $12
• Admissions prices are "suggested donations"
• Same-day admission to the Metropolitan Museum of Art main building is included

Audio Guides:

• $7, $6 for members, $5 children under 12
• Guide features recordings for 75 stops through the Cloisters
• Available in English, French and Spanish
• Family Audio Guide is designed for children 6-12 and their families

The Cloisters Hours:

• March - October: 10 a.m.-5:15 p.m.
• November - February: 10 a.m.- 4:45 p.m.
• Closed Monday, January 1, Thanksgiving Day and December 25