Unusual sights of New York - The Cloisters.
Unusual sights of New York - The Cloisters.

I wonder how many people associate New York with monasteries and castles?..
There are probably very, very few of them compared to the total mass of tourists visiting New York every year. We even dare to suggest that, probably, not every New Yorker knows about such a landmark of his city as The Cloisters, that is, the "Monastery". And the place is worth a visit!

The Cloisters museum and gardens (usually referred to simply as "Cloisters") is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is dedicated to the art and architecture of medieval Europe.
It is located in the very north of Manhattan Island. Perhaps due to the fact that it is quite remote from the main central attractions, not every tourist comes here and, accordingly, it is not so crowded here.
And, to tell the truth, not every tourist knows about the existence of this museum.

Subway building at the entrance to Fort Tryon Park, New York
The Cloisters is located in a large, beautiful and well maintained Fort Tryon Park overlooking
to the Hudson River.

View of the Hudson River, Fort Tryon Park, New York
The park occupies a fairly large area and can be a good alternative to walking in Central Park.

Fort Tryon Park, New York

Fort Tryon Park, New York

Fort Tryon Park, New York
The building looks like a medieval fortress.

The Cloisters Museum is so named because elements of five monasteries (“cloister” - English monastery) from modern France (Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Trie- sur-Baïse, Froville and Bonnefont-en-Comminges).

Gardens were also laid out based on information found in medieval treatises.
The Cloisters is not a copy of any building. Rather, it is a harmonious combination of elements of medieval architecture and art.
The Cloisters opened its doors to the public on May 10, 1938.
The collection of the "Monastery" includes more than 2,000 works of art, mostly from the 12th-15th centuries.

On the territory of the complex there are various tours, master classes, concerts, etc.
There is a restaurant on the territory of the complex, so there is also an opportunity to have a bite to eat.

Restaurant at The Cloisters Museum, New York
Opening hours of The Cloisters:
March - October 10:00 - 17:15
November – December 10:00 – 16:45
Open 7 days a week (excluding December 25, January 1 and Thanksgiving)

Entrance ticket price:
adults | $25 |
Seniors (65 and older) | $17 |
students | $12 |
Members of The Met Club | For free |
Children under 12 (accompanied by adults) | For free |
You can buy a ticket online .

Subway building near The Cloisters Museum, New York
You can get to The Cloisters Museum by metro, bus or taxi.
Easily accessible by metro. On the blue line A , you need to get to the 190 Street stop and walk 10-15 minutes through the park to the museum itself.
Nature and buildings are very harmoniously combined with each other. Even the restaurant and the metro building fit into the overall concept of the Middle Ages.

Subway building near The Cloisters Museum, New York
Easily accessible by metro. On the blue line A , you need to get to the 190 Street stop and walk 10-15 minutes through the park to the museum itself.

Just keep in mind that the museum is located a little away from the main attractions of New York, a half-hour subway ride from Times Square. Plus a section of the road on foot (10-15 minutes depending on the pace). Therefore, allocate at least a few hours to visit the museum.
The Cloisters museum and gardens is definitely worth adding to your "Interesting and Unusual Places in New York" list!
The museum is located at:
99 Margaret Corbin Drive
Fort Tryon Park
New York, New York 10040