Musee de Cluny--a museum amidst ruins

Walking through the bustling, book-scented Latin Quarter in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, one stumbles upon a set of ruins that seem like an archaeological site. This is none other than the National Museum of the Middle Ages. Part of the museum is semi-subterranean, preserving the authentic earthen walls with some blurred sculptures. The indoor exhibits mainly consist of sculptures, paintings, and ceramics. Some of the sculptures are grand and towering, predominantly religious figures, with a transparent glass ceiling above, allowing sunlight to pour in. Sitting on the stone bench at the center of the museum, surrounded by the stone-carved deities, one truly feels a sense of awe. What is particularly striking in the museum are the many large paintings that appear to be made of silk, often featuring a unicorn, which must also be a mythical creature. The museum also houses many exquisite pieces of porcelain, marveling at the high level of artistic mastery in European medieval art.