Central Park is one of, if not the greatest urban jungle in the world. Commissioned by the City of New York in the 1850s, the 843-acre park ranks near the top of the Big Apple’s most cherished attractions with more than 37.5 million visitors annually.

During daytime hours, the park is bustling with tourists, bicyclists, portrait artists and performers. At 1 a.m., long after the sun has set, the park closes to pedestrians, creating a one-of-a-kind wee-hour wilderness in the City that Never Sleeps.

New York-based photographer Michael Massaia, a self-admitted insomniac, ventured into the abyss between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. to photograph the park during this phenomenon, when it’s completely empty.

His collection is both eerie and beautiful, showcasing the World’s most famous park from a point of view rarely seen by native New Yorkers and tourists alike.

Massaia specializes in large format black and white photography that emphasizes isolation and disconnection from the ordinary. Check out his other projects by visiting his portfolio here.