The Cloisters was designed and built as a museum of art works from the Middle Ages. Architectural fragments of buildings from throughout Europe were incorporated into a museum that was constructed to represent a typical monastery. It contains several chapels, Gothic & Romanesque halls, and three Cloisters. I learned that Cloister means "enclosed or walled" space. The cloistered spaces we saw were outdoors, but enclosed with columns and walls to create serenity. You kinda felt like you were in a "secret" room.
We took a tour that emphasized the plant/garden aspects of the building. We started inside and examined the 4 huge Belgium Unicorn tapestries. Our docent pointed out the various plants in the tapestries and talked about the significance of the plants being included in the tapestry. You learn the tapestries aren't simply "pretty to look at" but tell a story of the activities and goings on of the time they were woven.
Then we went in the medieval garden to locate many of the plants depicted in the tapestry. I liked the "magic garden". Leaves from a plant in this garden were placed under your pillow at night so you would have restful sleep. We also talked about the "hen and chickens" plant ( which we're very familiar with). In medieval times, these plants were planted on roof tops of buildings....why??? Well, to prevent fire by absorbing lightning strikes, of course. How could you NOT know that! The docent showed us a "broom" plant that was dried and used as scouring pads in the kitchen. Plants provided many useful functions in mediaval times.
Inside, our favorite area was a room full of religious artifacts. The detail in the hand written and hand illustrated Bibles was stunning. We saw intricate devotional shrines carved of ivory and marble. There were beautiful jewel encrusted chalice cups. I also liked the "reliquary arm". Imagine the metal hand and arm piece from a suit of armor--but only this one is beautifully made of gold and silver and decorated with jewels. The priest wore this over his arm as he walked in processions allowing the crowds standing distances away to see it raised overhead. Never knew things like that even existed.
The creation of the Cloisters was made possible by JD Rockefeller, Jr, the philanthropist whose gifts provided for the building, its imposing hilltop setting, and money for many of the collections. The architectural elements were obtained primarily from French farmers and local people who abandoned the properties in the aftermath of the French revolution.
The Cloisters is located alongside the Hudson river in the very northernmost tip of Manhattan. We took the train to 120 street and then walked through Tryon Park to enter the Cloisters. Our apartment is at 14th Street, so the Cloisters is 106 blocks north of us. Interesting, peaceful, and relaxing way to spend our last day in NY.
