The center of the conclave: the cloister.
The conclave, once only accessible to monks, includes the cloister (a roofed passage around the monastery's central courtyard) and adjacent rooms for the monks. The east wing, which connects directly to the church, housed the monks' sleeping quarters, the dormitory. The work and common rooms, such as the chapter house, the parlatory (or speaking room) and the refectory were located on the ground floor. The monks would gather in these rooms, converse and pursue their spiritual endeavors.
Late Gothic abbot's room with oriel.
The refectory (the monks' dining hall), the calefactory (or warming room) and the kitchen were all located in the south wing. The west wing housed the monastery gate, connecting the conclave to the outside world. The abbot's quarters on the upper floor included a living room, reception area and office. The surviving remnants of late Gothic decor and paintings demonstrate the display of splendor common in that period. The ground floor offered access to the monastery's larder, or cellarium, which is now used as the information center.
Almost everything under one roof.
Traces of the Romanesque cloister can now only be found in the east wing. Abbot Hieronymus Hulzing ordered modifications to the cloister in 1480. These renovations resulted in structural changes in the entire conclave. A second story was added to the cloister and, with the exception of the western most portion, joined the adjacent conclave buildings under a single roof. This is how in the north wing, for example, the open gallery to the church's south aisle was created.
A once colorfully painted keystone.
All of the cloister windows facing the interior courtyard were adorned with ornate tracery. They were also likely outfitted with glass, which did not survive. All passages were covered in an ornate, fine-mesh ribbed vault. Stunningly beautiful keystones with richly varied images adorn the ceiling crown. The majestic impression made by the cloister was once emphasized by colorful paintings.
The cloister is ready for discovery.
