What Is The Cloisters Museum

Standing in the shadow of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City, the Cloisters Museum feels like a portal to another world. The moment I stepped through its arched entrance, the hum of the city faded, replaced by the solemn echo of medieval stone and the scent of aged tapestries. The Cloisters Museum is not just a place to see art—it’s a journey back to the 12th century, where monks, knights, and noblemen shaped the cultural fabric of Europe. What is the Cloisters Museum? It’s a rare and immersive experience of medieval life, housed in a building that itself is a replica of a 12th-century monastery.

The museum’s architecture is a marvel. Originally constructed in the 1930s as part of a larger project to house the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s medieval collection, the Cloisters were designed to mimic the monastic buildings of France and Italy. Walking through the museum, you’re surrounded by vaulted ceilings, cloistered gardens, and stone archways that seem to whisper stories of the past. What is the Cloisters Museum? It’s a living monument to medieval craftsmanship, where every detail—from the carved capitals to the stained glass—tells a story of devotion, artistry, and history.

What makes the Cloisters unique is its commitment to authenticity. Unlike other museums that display art in sterile, modern environments, the Cloisters recreate the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. You can walk through a reconstructed 12th-century cloister, admire original Gothic sculptures, and even sit in a chapel that once housed religious relics. What is the Cloisters Museum? It’s not just a place to look at art—it’s a place to experience history, feel the weight of stone underfoot, and hear the distant chime of bells echoing through its halls.

What is the Cloisters Museum, and How Was It Built?

As of October 2026, the Cloisters were constructed as a way to display the Met’s vast medieval collection in a setting that honored the period’s artistic and architectural heritage. The museum’s design draws from 12th-century French monasteries, with its stone walls, cloistered gardens, and vaulted ceilings. Every element was carefully selected to recreate the atmosphere of medieval Europe, from the materials used to the layout of the buildings.

The museum houses over 20,000 medieval artifacts, including tapestries, sculptures, and religious relics. These items were sourced from France, Spain, and Italy and transported to New York, where they were carefully installed in their new home. The result is a museum that feels like a medieval monastery, even though it sits in the heart of Manhattan.^[1]

What makes the Cloisters unique is its commitment to historical accuracy. The museum is not just a building—it’s a living monument to the Middle Ages. Visitors can walk through the cloistered gardens, see original stained glass windows, and even sit in the chapel where monks once prayed. It’s a rare opportunity to experience the medieval world in a way that few other museums can offer.

Part of our Archaeology cultural guide.

What Artifacts Can You See at the Cloisters?

One of the most famous artifacts on display is the Unicorn Tapestries, a set of seven tapestries that depict a mystical unicorn and its capture. These intricate works, woven in the late 15th century, are a masterpiece of medieval textile art. Each tapestry is over 13 feet tall and is displayed in a specially designed gallery that allows visitors to view the full scale and detail of the work.^[2]

In addition to the tapestries, the museum displays an extensive collection of medieval sculptures, including works by the renowned French sculptor Jean de La Hueterie. These sculptures, carved from stone and wood, depict religious figures and scenes from the Bible. They are displayed in a setting that mimics the original chapels and altars where they once stood.

The Cloisters also house a collection of religious relics, including fragments of holy objects and medieval manuscripts. These items are displayed in a way that honors their spiritual significance, with dim lighting and quiet spaces that encourage contemplation and reflection.

The Unicorn Tapestries are not just art—they are a window into the mystical world of the Middle Ages.

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What Is the Cloisters Museum Like to Walk Through?

From the moment you enter the museum, you are surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Middle Ages. The air is cool and still, with the only noise coming from the distant echo of footsteps on stone and the occasional chime of a bell. The cloistered gardens, filled with carefully arranged plants and fountains, give the museum a sense of peace and tranquility.

Each gallery is designed to reflect a different aspect of medieval life, from the grandeur of Gothic cathedrals to the quiet devotion of monastic life. The museum is laid out in a way that guides visitors through the history of the Middle Ages, with each room offering a new perspective on the era.

What makes the Cloisters feel so immersive is the attention to detail. The stone walls, the carved capitals, and the stained glass windows all contribute to a sense of timelessness. It’s easy to imagine monks walking through the cloistered halls or knights standing guard in the gallery of medieval armor.

“Standing in the shadow of the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City, the Cloisters Museum feels like a portal to another…”— Cultural Archaeology Travel editors

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What Is the Best Time to Visit the Cloisters?

Spring is the ideal season to visit the Cloisters Museum. During this time, the cloistered gardens are at their most beautiful, with blooming flowers, green lawns, and the gentle sound of trickling water. The weather is mild, making it comfortable to walk through the museum’s outdoor spaces.

Visiting in the spring also means fewer crowds. While the museum is popular year-round, the summer months can be quite busy, especially on weekends. By contrast, the spring months see a more moderate number of visitors, allowing for a more relaxed experience.

Another advantage of visiting in the spring is the light. The sun is high in the sky, casting golden light through the stained glass windows and illuminating the medieval art in a way that is both dramatic and beautiful. It’s a time when the museum feels especially alive.

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What Is the Cost to Visit the Cloisters?

The Cloisters Museum is free to visit, but it is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which requires a ticket for entry. This means that, in order to visit the Cloisters, you must also have a ticket for the Met. The cost of a ticket varies depending on the time of year and the type of visitor.

For adults, the ticket price is $15, while children under 12 and students are admitted for free. Senior citizens and members of the Met receive discounted rates. The ticket is valid for both the Met and the Cloisters, allowing visitors to explore both museums in one day.

If you plan to visit both the Met and the Cloisters, it’s worth purchasing a combined ticket. This not only saves money but also allows for a more seamless visit. The Cloisters is a must-see, but the Met itself is one of the world’s greatest art museums, with a collection that spans thousands of years and cultures.

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What Is the History of the Cloisters Museum?

The idea for the Cloisters Museum was first proposed in the 1920s by the Met’s then-president, Edward Robinson. He believed that the medieval art in the Met’s collection should be displayed in a setting that reflected the period in which it was created. The Cloisters were built as a way to honor that vision.

The museum was constructed between 1932 and 1938, using stones and materials sourced from medieval Europe. The design was inspired by the monastic buildings of France and Italy, with vaulted ceilings, cloistered gardens, and stone archways. Every detail was carefully considered to create an environment that felt authentic.

Since its opening, the Cloisters has been a popular destination for art lovers and history enthusiasts. It has become a unique cultural landmark, not just for its collection but for its architecture and atmosphere. Today, it continues to honor its original purpose, offering visitors a rare and immersive experience of the Middle Ages.

The Cloisters were built not just to display art, but to honor the spirit of the Middle Ages.

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What Are the Most Popular Exhibits at the Cloisters?

Among the most popular exhibits at the Cloisters is the Unicorn Tapestries, a set of seven tapestries that depict a mystical unicorn and its capture. These works, woven in the late 15th century, are a masterpiece of medieval textile art. Their intricate details and symbolic meanings make them one of the most visited exhibits in the museum.

Another popular exhibit is the collection of Gothic sculptures, including works by the renowned French sculptor Jean de La Hueterie. These sculptures, carved from stone and wood, depict religious figures and scenes from the Bible. They are displayed in a setting that mimics the original chapels and altars where they once stood.

The Medieval Manuscripts collection is also a favorite among visitors. These manuscripts, written in Latin and illuminated with gold leaf, are a testament to the artistic and intellectual achievements of the Middle Ages. They are displayed in a way that honors their historical significance, with dim lighting and quiet spaces that encourage contemplation.

What Is The Cloisters Museum