NYC's Hidden Gem: The Cloisters

The Cloisters is a part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but is located in upper Manhattan in Fort Tyron Park.  It features medieval art and architecture from all around the world.  My absolute favorite place in Manhattan is The Cloisters.

In sixth grade, my school's curriculum had a large section on medieval times.  We visited The Cloisters as a class and I fell in love.  It's away from all the noise of NYC and really just an escape from city life.  I've gone back to visit The Cloisters for birthdays, to show friends around, and for a quiet place to reflect.

The Cloisters is gorgeous in any season.  Any excuse to go visit is fully worth it.  I really enjoy how the building was assembled almost like a puzzle, featuring bits of architecture transported from overseas.  My favorite relic they have on display has to be the Unicorn Tapestries.  In school we learned about these, so I'm always slightly disappointed when I bring them up and people don't know what I'm talking about (must have been a school specific lesson!).

The series of seven hangings depicts the hunt for the elusive unicorn.  They date back to the late fifteenth century and are absolutely exquisite.  One of the reasons they are my favorite is because I remember learning about how the initials "A" and "E" are hidden in each tapestry numerous times.  I'm not sure the meaning of these letters, perhaps they are those of the artist or the family who commissioned them.  It's a fun little game to see how many you can spot in each hanging…just be careful when pointing not to set the alarm off…I may or may not have….