The gardens of the Met Cloisters, planted in reconstructed Romanesque and Gothic cloisters, evoke those that provided sustenance and spiritual refreshment within the medieval monastery. Designed as an integral feature of the Museum, the gardens have been a major attraction of The Cloisters since its opening in 1938, enhancing both the setting in which the Museum’s collection of medieval art is displayed and the visitor’ s understanding of medieval life. The gardens are designed and maintained by a horticultural staff actively engaged in researching and developing the living collection.