Medieval art museum in Upper Manhattan built from actual medieval European cloisters. Part of the Met. Unicorn Tapestries. Romanesque and Gothic chapels. Hudson River views. Totally unexpected this far north.
Location
Fort Tryon Park, New York
Map
Insider Intel
The Unicorn Tapestries (1495–1505) are the highlight. The Cuxa, Bonnefont, and Trie cloisters are reconstructed from French abbeys. The Fuentidueña Chapel contains a full apse from a 12th-century Spanish church. Walk the gardens — medieval herb gardens with period plants. The location in Fort Tryon Park makes this a half-day trip.
Weekday mornings. Spring and summer for the gardens. Fall for foliage in Fort Tryon Park. Less crowded than the main Met building. Take the A train to 190th St — the museum is a 10-minute walk through the park.
Opened in 1938. Built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. who also purchased and donated the land across the Hudson to prevent development and preserve the views. The building incorporates elements from five medieval French cloisters. The collection focuses on medieval European art and architecture. Same-day admission includes entry to the main Met building on Fifth Avenue. One of New York's most surprising museums — medieval Europe in northern Manhattan.