The Cloisters, the branch of The Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted to the art and architecture of medieval Europe, was assembled from architectural elements, both domestic and religious, that date from the twelfth through the fifteenth century. The building and its cloistered gardens—located in Fort Tryon Park in Northern Manhattan—are treasures in themselves, effectively part of the collection housed there. The Cloisters collection comprises approximately five thousand works of art from medieval Europe, dating from about the ninth to the fifteenth century.
View selected highlights from the collection, or learn more about the
curatorial department that oversees The Cloisters collection.
Did You Know?

Elecampane (Inula helenium) photographed in Trie Garden. Photograph by Barbara Bell.
Garden ToursThough beautiful all year round, the gardens of The Cloisters are especially stunning during the summer months.
Garden tours are offered every day, Tuesday through Sunday, at 1:00 p.m. Once you've enjoyed the gardens, step inside to learn more about the amazing works of art on view.
Gallery talks focus on a particular topic, lending insight to intriguing aspects of medieval art.
Join the Discussion"
The Medieval Garden Enclosed" is a blog dedicated to the plants and gardens of The Cloisters. Explore the role of plants and gardens in medieval life and art, learn how to find and grow medieval herbs and flowers, discuss the long histories of many familiar garden plants, and discover which roadside weeds were once valued medicinals.