The Cloisters, Washington Heights, New York City, Part 3

We visited the beautiful Cloisters museum in Upper Manhattan. Read Part 1 here and Part 2 here. This is third and final installment of our visit.

This museum is a feast for the eyes as well as the history-hungry soul. I study medieval history in my spare time, so our visit was the fulfillment of a quest long in the making. There is truly too much to absorb here; one visit is not nearly enough. In similar manner, snapping a few photos and posting them online does not do the museum and the park justice. It’s just simply lovely.

With that said, I highlight some of the things I especially liked or found interesting. You really must read Parts 1 and 2 if you have not already. These give you a well-rounded view of the entire experience.

As we meandered down cool stone hallways, we ventured into small alcoves and rooms filled with artifacts and beautiful works of art.

These gilded ladies grace a large side table, hefted onto an elaborate dais. The one of the far left reminds me of Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth.

Off to the right is an enormous (bronze?) lecturn. My photo does not do the piece justice– the lecturn is HUGE. A speaker would stand behind the eagle, reading from a book propped on the stand. Can you see the stand? Such would give the listeners the impression that the eagle was speaking to them!

This is from a 1,000 year old German stein. The gold work is so elegant yet the small wooden figure is rather crude in comparison.

We entered another room filled with endless religious objects.

I was intrigued by the statue of Jesus in a wheeled donkey. Called a Palmesel (a palm donkey), bishops or priests would haul this out every Palm Sunday in a parade. The people would imitate the Jerusalem crowds of the first century, throwing tree branches and shouting their praises as the palmesel passed by. This ritual ended after the Protestant Reformation. This piece dates from the 15th century.

This is a closeup shot of one of the figures on a 12-century Belgian baptismal font.

This part of a reconstructed chapel dates to the 12th century. That is Christ carved out of wood. Th eoriginal colored plaster in the domed area is of the Madonna.

My daughters by a large Gothic door. I was completely overcome by the architecture.

A candelabra. Can’t you just hear the chanting monks now?

I love this museum. It’s a place you can visit again and again. It’s peaceful and quiet and simply gorgeous. The grounds outside the museum offer lovely views of flowering trees and the Hudson River. Well worth the visit!

The Cloisters
www.metmuseum.org/visit/visit-the-cloisters
99 Margaret Corbin Drive New York, NY 10040
(212) 923-3700