claustros

Claustros is the plural form of claustro, a term used in Spanish and Portuguese with two related meanings. In architecture, it names the cloister of a religious complex; in academia, it denotes the body that governs some universities. The root is Latin claustrum, from claudere, to shut or enclose.

In architectural use, a claustro is a covered walkway that surrounds a courtyard in monasteries, convents, and churches. Typical features include arcaded galleries, slender columns, and a central garden or fountain. Cloisters provide a secluded space for reflection, study, and movement between different parts of the complex. They are characteristic of medieval and early modern religious architecture and appear in Romanesque, Gothic, and later styles across Europe and other regions influenced by monastic life.

Historically, cloisters served practical and symbolic purposes: they organized daily routines, housed scriptoria, and formed a quiet boundary between cloistered life and the outside world. They remain among the best-preserved elements of many religious ensembles and are valued for their architectural and cultural heritage.

In the context of higher education, claustro refers to the governing assembly of a university—usually comprising teaching and research staff, and sometimes students—responsible for statutes, budgets, and the appointment of senior officials. The exact composition and powers vary by country and institution, but the claustro typically represents the core representative body of the academic community.

The term is used in both Iberian and Ibero-American contexts, reflecting shared linguistic and cultural heritage. See also: Cloister; Monastery; University governance.