Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
on Fifth Avenue. The architecturally distinctive landmark district of Riverside Drive-West
End Historic District lies alongside, from 86th to 95th streets.
THE CATHEDRAL OF ST JOHN THE DIVINE
1047 Amsterdam Ave at W 112th St. Subway B, C, #1 to 110th St.
212 316 7490, tour info
212 932 7540,
www.stjohndivine.org . Daily 7.30am-6pm. MAP
The largest Gothic cathedral in the world holds that title despite being only two-thirds fin-
ished. A curious mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles, St John the Divine was begun in
1892, but its full 601ft length was completed only in 1941, after which construction stopped,
to proceed sporadically between the late 1970s and 1997. The towers and transepts need fin-
ishing, but no further building plans are in the works. As it stands, St John is big enough to
swallow Notre Dame and Chartres whole. Inside, note the intricately carved wood Altar for
Peace, the Poets' Corner (with the names of American poets carved into its stone block
floor), the octagonal baptistry and the triptych by Keith Haring - his final finished work.
The amazing stained-glass windows include scenes from American history among biblical
ones. Highlight tours (Mon 11am $ 2pm, Tues-Sat 11am & 1pm, Sun 1pm; $6), 'vertical'
tours to the roof (Wed & Fri noon, Sat noon & 2pm; $15) and a variety of other programmes
are regularly available.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Between Broadway and Morningside Drive from 114th to 120th sts. Subway #1 to 116th St. MAP
The epicentre of Morningside Heights, Columbia University 's campus fills 36 acres. Estab-
lished in 1754, it is the oldest and most revered university in the city and one of the most
prestigious academic institutions in the country. Well-known alumni include Barack Obama,
Isaac Asimov, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Lou Gehrig and Kathryn Bigelow.
McKim, Mead and White led the way in designing its new Italian Renaissance-style cam-
pus after it moved from midtown in 1897, with the domed and colonnaded Low Memorial
Library as the focal point. Hour-long tours ( 212 854 4900; free) of the campus leave reg-
ularly Monday to Friday during the school year from the visitors center on the second floor
of the library.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search