CLOISTER (O. F. cloi:tre, Lat. claustrum, bar, enclosed place), a court enclosed by cov ered walks. The latter are, strictly speaking, the cloisters, the central space being termed the cloister garth. The walks, or ambulatories, are open on the side toward the garth and when appertaining to monastic or collegiate establish ments were intended for the use of monks or nuns or the clergy attached to the church. The cloisters are usually, though not invariably, placed on the south side of the church. They are commonly square on the plan, having a plain wall on one side, a series of windows be tween the piers or columns on the opposite side and covered with a vaulted or ribbed ceiling. They form part of the passage of communica tion from the church to the chapter-house, re fectory and other parts of the establishment The chapter-house usually opens from the east walk, the refectory and certain other domestic buildings of a monastic house from the south walk. Sometimes there was a second story, but these have rarely been preserved. Both the Ro manesque and Gothic types prevail. Germany presents some fine examples of the former style of architecture at Maulbronn and Heiligen kreuz. In southern France the same type is seen in the monasteries at Arles and Velay. In Italy the Gothic arched cloister with its ornate pillar groups often varied with enameled and mosaic decorations are found at Salerno, Palermo, Amalfi. The later Roman school developed a
form exquisite in delicate carvings of which a good example is to be found at the Lateran. France furnishes some very interesting ex amples, notably that of Mont Saint-Michel (q.v.) on the coast of Normandy where the great cloister is built on the roof of a vaulted chamber, since the building itself is constructed on the top of a sheer, almost perpendicular, rocky height. Spanish cloisters are of both types,— the royal convent of Huelgas near Burgos, of the arcaded form, is remarkably beautiful. Greatest elegance of form is attained in those of Monreale and Cefalu in Sicily. In England the Gothic form is to be seen at Gloucester, Hereford, Norwich, West minster and Canterbury. Several important colleges also have such ambulatories such as Eton and Winchester, Magdalen at Oxford and Christ Church.
Cloisters were used as places for quiet walks and contemplation; parts for lectures, educa tion, study and recreation. Lavatories, or some times large fountains were often provided in extensions of the ambulatory, so that the monks might wash before going to meals. The garth was usually a plot of grass accessible in only a few places by means of gaps in the low walls of the arcade.