Cloister

Image:Sttrophimecloister.png
Cloister of Saint Trophimus, in Arles, France

A cloister (from latin claustrum) is a part of cathedral and abbey architecture. A cloister consists usually of four corridors, with a courtyard or quad in the middle.

Cloisteral life is another name for the life of a monk or nun. Thus, cloister is sometimes used as a synonym for monastery.

See also

fr:Cloître nl:Kloostergang pl:Krużganek pt:Claustro cs:Křížová chodba