cloisters

A cloister is a covered walk, typically arcaded, that surrounds a square or rectangular courtyard and forms part of a church complex such as a monastery, convent, cathedral, or collegiate church. The word cloister derives from Latin claustrum, meaning “barred place,” and the term can also refer to the precinct enclosed by such walks.

Architecturally, cloisters are organized around a central garth or garden. The cloister walk is usually one continuous arcade on the outside of the courtyard wall, with columns or piers supporting a roof; in many cases the inner side faces the garden and contains a line of side chapels or workrooms. The arcades often feature decorative arches and capitals; the surrounding buildings typically include the church or chancel, the chapter house, dormitories, and refectories. Styles vary with time, from Romanesque round arches to Gothic pointed arches and later Renaissance refinements.

Function and use: Cloisters provided a quiet, contemplative space for monks or nuns and served as a physical and symbolic boundary between the secular world and the cloistered life. They were used for exercise and processions, reading, study, and as sheltered routes between buildings during bad weather. In cathedrals, cloisters helped regulate access to different parts of the complex and often housed a library or scriptorium.

Legacy: Many cloisters survive as important historical and architectural monuments. They are frequently preserved as museum spaces or integrated into ongoing religious communities. The term cloister is also used more broadly to describe any secluded, tranquil place or lifestyle.