Visiting The Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park in New York City last weekend was a gas. Part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cloisters are made of bits and pieces from five medieval French cloisters. The site showcases the art and architecture of medieval Europe. Wending our way in and out of the buildings and around the gardens, I couldn't help thinking the security guards were actually medieval knights who have traveled through time to keep an eye on stuff that really has no place in Manhattan. Someone used a flash (oops--me), someone touched a stone, someone stood just a tad too close to the unicorn tapestries, and out these guys popped from--I don't know. They just appeared and scolded and disappeared.
Still, to be so close to times and places so far aways was dreamy.
33 Comments
history is fascinating that's why I love travel and museums...fun!
ReplyDeleteI love the Cloisters! Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy! I find that when I visit old historic places, the sound of past events rings in my ears... Especially when I visit the old ruins of the south west.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour!
I have always liked the Cloisters. I took a group of rowdy Boy Scouts once, who quickly became subdued and eerily quiet.
ReplyDeleteIt's really an amalgam, as you said. There are six styles of columns and capitals in your last slide alone. Great article, Sandy!
I vote for more pictures, with or without illegal flashes. (What, the flash is gonna melt the marble?! Not as much as acid NYC rain.)
-Greg
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The last capture is terrific, great place.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about historic places and that was the greatest joy for me when I lived in Europe and in Mexico. Being able to be in places that had seen so much history, had so many stories to tell. This looks like a terrific place and I would love to visit there myself! Your post is the next best thing to being there, Sandy!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I wouldn't mind being cloistered here. What beauty.
ReplyDeleteI can feel the history and prayers being emitted from those stones.
ReplyDeleteNice pics you have here my friend.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the narrative as well as the photographs in this post. Sounds like a fun weekend.
ReplyDeleteI too love historic places. Nice pictures.
ReplyDeletealoha,
ReplyDeletethose are pretty place, i've always wanted to visit here, enjoyed the story, thanks for sharing these
Great pics of what must be a really wonderful place to visit. It's humbling and incredible to visit such places.
ReplyDeleteSurely a place that breathes history. Thank you for this wonderful escape in the middle of the night. Please have a great Tuesday.
ReplyDeletedaily athens
Terrific shot of the arches and columns.
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
Sandy: Neat captures from the Big Apple.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of medieval architecture. The arches look great.
ReplyDeleteThose arches take me back in time, Sandy. Glad you didn't get arrested getting these shots for us!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like those ninja security guards were on high alert and were skilled at appearing and disappearing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place--like stepping back in time as you wandered through the cloisters and saw the wonderful medieval art
Magnificent arches!
ReplyDeleteGreat captures Sandy.
Have a great week.
xo
fabulous shots! the arches are marvelous--so romantic.
ReplyDeleteSandy, these images are so fascinating. In Italian I should say: "Scorci molto suggestivi".
ReplyDeleteyes, dreamy
ReplyDeleteAloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
Impressive architecture! The museum itself is a piece of art.
ReplyDeleteThe arches are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there are any Ghosts?
ReplyDeleteYou always have the most interesting posts
They scolded you for a flash? A touch on a stone? That means I can't go. I'd be arrested. But I've heard of the Cloisters and never understood (or took the time to look it up).
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be in New Haven the beginning of next week while husband finishes building daughter's bathroom. Love to visit but I'm afraid I'd be killed in that traffic down there if I went to see you. Let me know! There are GREAT photo opps in City Point!
adored the alst one, Snady..Nice day
ReplyDeletehttp://graceolsson.com/blog/2010/06/reality/
adored the last one, Sandy
ReplyDeletehttp://graceolsson.com/blog/2010/06/reality/
I like the third photo. Can imagine myself sitting under there with the sun shining in.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the knights didn't haul you off. Great photos.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy the lines in your photographs.
ReplyDeleteI remember spending time there in my 20s and falling in love with the unicorn tapestries.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here.