Monastery Architecture

Goal of members of monastic religious communities was to   spread Western monastic art and architecture. For about 1200 years, Monasticism led to changes in political, social, and artistic events. Monasticism brought changes from 6 to 18 century.
Monastery is the place where worshiping, gathering for prayers is arranged. It is also the place for residence of religious community. The life of these religious communities bound them with religion and they cut off from the outside world.
History of Monasticism

• During 529, Saint Benedict of Nursia introduced Benedictine order and the Abbey of Monte Cassino in southern Italy. He was associated with Monasticism. The Rule of Saint Benedict explored the main ideas of Saint Gall, Switzerland.
• The original monastic plans were difficult to understand. Monastic plans have general characteristics of courtyard structure in order to ensure privacy.
• Central plan of monastery plan developed by 9 century. Especially in the structure of church space was left purposely for the meetings of the community, the dormitory, the refectory, and storage facilities.
• During end of middles ages, the residence quarters were made for leader of the community separately.
• External schools were also established by some monasteries for children, oblates.
• Water supply was well established with the tendency to reach kitchen before reaching wash rooms and latrines. The entire structure was usually set near stream. Guest rooms were built for their residing.
• Chapels were optional structure for visitors as visitors were not allowed inside the church used by monks or nuns.

What improvement was brought by Monasticism

1. There were many improvements that took place in 11 century due to Monasticism.
2. During 13 century establishment of monks, increased rapidly. Monasticism was set to uplift artistic activities during Middle Ages. The worldly clergy existed along with regular clergy.
3. Throughout the middle ages many riches, greatest and oldest European churches were preserved. They were purposely preserved for their government of worldly canons.

Church was always been most impressive feature of monastic art and architecture. Each church built during early period, was an expression of the ambition of the community to which it belonged. Some of the churches were sign of the wealth and prosperity of the monastery. Leftovers of Saints were preserved behind the high altars as in Sainte-Madeleine in monastic church. Thus the plan of any monastic church reveals the nature of its community. Most churches such as the Dominican Church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo have large naves.
Monastery Architecture was introduced in the construction of churches during Middle Ages.

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