The Cloister

The Cloister, the area you are in now, is a series of four covered walkways set around a central grassed area, called the Cloister Garth. The first Cloister at Durham was built in the 11th century, and was later enlarged and extended. It provided a dry path around the medieval monastery, as well as an area where the monks could study or meditate. Today the Cloister is a place for visitors, staff and choristers and is occasionally used for events, services and activities., The Cloister Garth , During the time of the monastery the Cloister Garth would have probably been kept as a lawn. The plain green, without the distraction of colourful flowers, was believed to be more soothing and an aid to meditation and study. Most cloister garths usually included a source of water, and you can still see a well near the centre., The Laver Bowl , In the centre of the Garth is a large stone bowl. This is the Laver Bowl or 'Lavatorium'. Made of Egglestone marble, it was originally in the south west corner and is the basin of a large fountain. Installed in the 1430s, it had a central column with lots of brass spouts and taps, where the monks could wash their hands and faces before meals., The Meridian Line , In the north Cloister, opposite to where you are now stood, is a meridian line. It's made up of three parts: a covered cloister window with a small hole in, and division lines on the wall and floor. Look out for them as you walk around the Cloister., People used it to accurately tell the time, with a beam of light falling on the marks when the sun passes the 'meridian' at midday. The light falls on the floor at summer solstice (21 June), when the sun is at its highest and on the wall at winter solstice (21 December), when the sun is lowest.