The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City.

The museum first opened its doors in 1869 and has since grown to become one of the largest art museums in the world, with a collection that spans more than 5,000 years of global history and includes more than 2 million works.

In honor of their 140th anniversary, here are six highlights from their vast collections:

1. The Temple Reliefs from Khorsabad – These ancient Assyrian reliefs date back to 706-705 B.C., making them some of the oldest pieces on display at the Met;
2. The Nike Ardennes – One of only four known bronze casts ever made by Leonardo da Vinci, this sculpture was a study for the sculpting of his masterpiece, “The Horse and Rider;”
3. The Temple of Dendur – This Egyptian temple is one of the Met’s most popular attractions. It was dismantled and reconstructed in its entirety inside the museum after it was threatened by rising waters from Lake Nasser;
4. Portrait of Jacques de Lalaing – This striking 15th-century oil painting by Flemish artist Michael Sittow depicts a prominent Netherlandish nobleman, the first of three portraits painted by Sittow for King Henry VII of England;
5. The Temple of Dendur in a sandstorm – In 2010, during the worst storm to hit New York City in 100 years, the sand from Long Island Sound swirled past and under the temple’s entrance. The Met captured these photos to document the museum’s architectural fragility;
6. Piero Della Francesca: Flagellation of Christ – This Italian Renaissance painting holds a special place in art history: it is one of only a few paintings by Piero Della Francesca in the United States.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is located on Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street in New York City.

It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:20 p.m., Wednesday through Monday, and until 9:00 p.m. on Fridays; closed on Tuesdays and major holidays.

For more information, visit http://www.metmuseum.org/

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a New York City staple, and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. The museum’s vast collections span more than 5,000 years of global history and include 2 million works! Whether you want to explore their ancient Assyrian reliefs from Khorsabad or take a selfie with Leonardo da Vinci’s “Nike Ardennes,” there are plenty of reasons why this Met should be at the top of your list for must-see NYC destinations. To learn more about any particular piece or event happening at this beloved museum