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Central Park — Bethesda Terrace
Look Up: A Tile-Covered Detail in Central Park
Discover
Bethesda Terrace is a two-level plaza in Central Park with an Arcade and fountain. Look up inside the Arcade and you’ll see a geometric ceiling made of nearly 16,000 tiles arranged in 49 panels. The Central Park Conservancy credits Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould with the Terrace’s design, including details that draw on plants, birds, and the seasons.
Fun facts
- The Arcade ceiling is made of nearly 16,000 tiles in 49 panels.
- The tiles were made by the Minton tile company in England.
- Carvings on the Terrace include imagery representing the four seasons.
Before you go
- Look up inside the Arcade to see its tiled ceiling and repeating geometric pattern.
- Bethesda Terrace is at mid-park near 72nd Street; use the Conservancy’s map to plan your route.
- The Conservancy currently says the Bethesda Fountain is turned off for restoration while the Terrace remains open. Recheck the notice before visiting.
Capture
- Use the Arcade’s repeated ceiling panels to build a symmetrical composition.
- Pair a close detail of the tiles with a wider architectural view.
- Do not show water flowing from the fountain while the restoration notice remains active.
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Look up inside Bethesda Terrace’s Arcade and you’ll find nearly 16,000 tiles arranged across 49 geometric panels. The details continue around the Terrace, where carvings bring plants, birds, and the seasons into the architecture.
Current note: the Central Park Conservancy says Bethesda Fountain is turned off for restoration, while the Terrace remains open. Check the latest park notice before visiting.
Did you know to look up here?
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