A cloister is usually defined as the area in a monastery around which the principal buildings are arranged. Built as a covered walk, open gallery, or open arcade, the cloister was an important part of a medieval abbey: it was a place where the monks would have meditated, studied, and exercised. Some of the most stunning examples of these extraordinary quadrilateral enclosures can be found across Europe, set within equally dazzling churches, cathedrals, and other religious buildings. But where exactly can you truly appreciate these ecclesiastical wonders?
Click through and discover this unique form of religious architecture.