University of Virginia Library

THE ENTRANCE ROAD TO THE CHURCH

ON THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE CHURCH EXTENDED TO THE WEST

This inscription is shown on the Plan, I, xx, and is discussed, I, 128.

NOTE For discussion of the use of CAPITALIS RUSTICA in writing certain inscriptions of the Plan, refer to the preface of this section, page 8, under Visual
Display. Other comments occur under Goosehouse, building 21, page 61, and Henhouse, building 23, page 63.

CAPITALIS RUSTICA occurs in the following parts of the Catalogue of Inscriptions:

1
THE CHURCH

THE WEST ATRIUM

✠ Blank area is treated under the subheading Western Apse, page 23.

For inscriptions and translations see opposite page

For facsimile color plan showing surrounding area, see I, 132.

---

19

IN THE COVERED WALK OF THE ATRIUM (OUTER SEMICIRCULAR SPACE)

IN THE OPEN AREA OF THE ATRIUM (INNER SEMICIRCULAR SPACE)

IN THE INTERSTICES BETWEEN THE PIERS SUPPORTING THE ROOF OF THE COVERED WALK

Has inter que pe des de nos mo de rare colum nas

Between these columns count ten feet

I: Three hexameters in concentric semicircles, appear in the bold CAPIYALIS RUSTICA (inner and outer lines) and in the crisp and delicate Carolingian
minuscule (middle line) that characterizes the hand of the main scribe who, before he came to the island monastery of Reichenau, must have spent some time
at the abbey of Fulda. His work on the Plan was supervised by an older scribe practising a late fine style of Alamanic writing very similar to that used by
the famous teacher, Reginbert of Reichenau.

For discussion, see text ATRIUM, I, 128

526. CHURCH

KEY PLAN

NOTE

Diagram showing where the items occur on the Plan of St. Gall that are treated in detail in pages 21 through 30.
Each item of the text is identified by a number corresponding to the locating key number shown in the diagram.

numbers 1 to 8 inclusive, (in nave), identify Column Range
for the north row and south row of church nave columns

NAVE

1
LECTERNS

2
PULPIT

3
ALTAR OF THE HOLY CROSS

NOTE Small black circles with numbers refer to locations shown on the Plan, page 20.

4
ALTAR OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST AND
ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST

5
BAPTISMAL FONT

6
IN THE SECOND BAY (slightly east of column pair 1)

NOTE Small black circles with numbers refer to locations shown on the Plan, page 20.

4-8: The ductus of all circles appearing on these pages shows clearly that they are not
instrument drawn; yet the two circles of the baptismal font (5) could hardly be so
regular had the hand of the draftsman not been guided by the compass-drawn
circles of the underlying original that the he traced.

IN WEST APSE

7

MEASUREMENTS

WRITTEN TRANSVERSELY ACROSS NAVE AND AISLES (BAY 7-8)

8

8: The measurements here listed are crucial for analysis of the scale of the Plan,
and conflict with dimensions given for the length of the Church (see further remarks,
page 24).

NOTE Small black circles with numbers refer to locations shown on the Plan, page 20.

9 (ON THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE CHURCH (SPACES BETWEEN LETTER GROUPS SHOWN CONTRACTED) ON THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE CHURCH (SPACES BETWEEN LETTER GROUPS CONTRACTED)

10 IN THE INTERSTICES BETWEEN THE SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN ROW OF COLUMNS IN THE INTERSTICES BETWEEN THE SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN ROW OF COLUMNS

11
The color plan, I, xxviii, will be found helpful to orient the reader with respect to these and other detail illustrations of the Catalogue.

10, 11: If the nave of the Church was 40 feet wide (as stated in its inscriptions, p. 23), its length according to the drawing should have been stated as being 300,
not 200 feet as requested in the axial title of the Church (9). By the same token the interstices of the nave columns should have been 20, not 12 feet as
postulated in its intercolumnar titles (10, 11).

The incompatibility of these figures and the rendering of the drawing itself has haunted a hundred years of scholarship. The conclusion that the Plan was
not drawn to scale was firmly held until Bockelmann suggested, and the present authors now state, that incompatibilities between drawing and titles expressed
a change in thought about the desired length of the Church that developed later than the completion of the drawing (for historical overview and detailed
discussion see I, 77-104).

NOTE Small black circles with numbers refer to locations shown on the Plan, page 20.

AISLES

12
NORTH AISLE

Titles for these two altars were written by the supervising scribe. All other altars of this
group were written by the main scribe.

13
SOUTH AISLE

14
NORTH AISLE

15
SOUTH AISLE

16

17

18

19

TRANSEPT

20
IN THE CROSSING SQUARE

NOTE Small black circles with numbers refer to locations shown on the Plan, page 20.

21

IN THE CROSSING SQUARE

22

23

24

25

IN THE NORTH ARM OF THE TRANSEPT

26

NOTE Small black circles with numbers refer to locations shown on the Plan, page 20.

27

28

IN THE SOUTH ARM OF THE TRANSEPT

29

30

31

NOTE Small black circles with numbers refer to locations shown on the Plan, page 20.

For remarks on the Crypt, see

Figure 83 with caption, I, 130; Figure 123 with caption, I, 177.

THE PRESBYTERY

32

33

The altar occupies central position in the Presbytery.

For remarks on the Crypt, see

Figure 83 with caption, I, 130; Figure 123 with caption, I, 171.

THE EAST APSE

34

NOTE Small black circles with numbers refer to locations shown on the Plan, page 20.

CRYPT

35

THE EAST ATRIUM

36

NOTE Small black circles with numbers refer to locations shown on the Plan, page 20.

I a
SCRIPTORIUM BELOW, LIBRARY ABOVE

ON THE SOUTH AND NORTH OF THE TABLE

AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE LIBRARY FROM THE PRESBYTERY

I b
SACRISTY BELOW, VESTRY ABOVE

ON THE SOUTH AND NORTH OF THE TABLE

ON THE TABLES

I c
LODGING FOR VISITING MONKS

I d
SCHOOLMASTER'S LODGING

‡ Damage to the parchment, where noted above, invites conjecture in an attempt to
restore the break in the line of the drawing with a continuous wall line, or with a
doorway. The furniture arrangement and a door on the north wall suggest strongly the
former presence of a door in the Church wall, since this would permit the most direct
access to the Outer School for students who pass the Porter's station (see I.f, next
page). The alternate route, circuitous, seems unlikely—walking the full length of the
Church, across the north transept, through the quarters for visiting monks, then into
the school yard to the school.

I e
THE LODGING OF THE PORTER

IN THE EAST SPACE

IN THE WEST SPACE

I f
PORCH GIVING ACCESS TO HOUSE OF DISTINGUISHED GUESTS & TO OUTER SCHOOL

If: The first half of this hexameter was written by the supervising scribe, the
second half by the main scribe. On their interaction see I, 13-14.

I g
PORCH FOR RECEPTION OF ALL VISITORS TO THE MONASTERY

Ig: The word HABEBIT was partially covered by the overlapping margin of sheet
5 when the latter was attached to sheet 1. The inscriptions on the latter,
therefore, must have been completed before the two were joined (cf. I, 35-50).

I h
PORCH GIVING ACCESS TO THE QUARTERS OF THE SERFS AND TO THE HOSPICE

I i
LODGING OF THE MASTER OF THE HOSPICE FOR PILGRIMS AND PAUPERS

I j
THE MONKS' PARLOR

I k
THE TOWER OF ST. MICHAEL

Ik: The inscriptions in the two towers are from the hand of the supervising scribe and
very characteristic of his style. Strangely enough the titles in the outer ring of the spiral
are rendered in the dark brown ink of the main scribe, and were probably entered before
the altar designations in the innermost rings. These are written in the pale brown ink of
all other entries of the supervising scribe (and like them are difficult to decipher).

I l
THE TOWER OF ST. GABRIEL

2
THE ANNEX FOR PREPARATION OF HOLY BREAD AND OIL

For facsimile color plan see I. 260.

3
THE DORMITORY AND WARMING ROOM

3.1

THE ADJACENT CLOISTER WALK

For facsimile color plans see pp. I, 257, 260.

See site plan and caption, p. 81.

3.2
IN THE BEDS

3.3
IN THE FIRING CHAMBER

3.4
IN THE SMOKE DUCT

3.5
IN THE PASSAGE TO THE PRIVY

3.6
IN THE PASSAGE FROM WARMING ROOM TO MONKS' LAUNDRY AND BATH HOUSE

4
THE MONKS' PRIVY

4: The presence of a light (lucerna) in the privy is stipulated as a necessity,
in a 9th-century commentary to the Rule of St. Benedict (see I, 259).

5
THE MONKS' LAUNDRY AND
BATH HOUSE

5: Whether or not, or how often, monks should be allowed to bathe was a
highly controversial issue in monastic life. As in all similar matters, St.
Benedict took a tolerant stand (see I, 262-67).

6
THE MONKS' REFECTORY AND VESTIARY ABOVE IT

6.1

IN THE CLOISTER WALK ADJACENT TO THE REFECTORY (SEE SITE PLAN PAGE 81)

6.2

THE CENTRAL PART OF THE REFECTORY

For facsimile plan see I, 263.

6.2.1

READERS LECTERN

6.2.2

IN FRONT OF THE LECTERN

6.2.3

ON THE VISITORS' TABLE

6.2: The design of the Refectory entrance is unique on the
Plan. It strikingly resembles a modern revolving door, but
was probably a draft-blocking construction divided internally
into two parallel passages for entering and leaving.

6.3

IN THE EASTERN HALF OF THE HALL

6.3.1

ON THE BENCH ON THE SOUTH HALL

6.3.2

IN THE FRONT OF THE BENCH

6.3.3

ADJACENT TO (SOUTH) OF THE ABBOT'S BENCH

6.3.4

THE GREAT U-SHAPED TABLE ON MAIN AXIS OF THE REFECTORY

6.3.5

ON THE BENCH NORTH OF THE ABBOT'S TABLE

6.4

IN THE WESTERN HALF OF THE HALL

6.4.1

JUST WEST OF THE VISITORS' TABLE

6.4.2

ON THE CUPBOARD NEAR THE EXIT
AND ADJACENT TO THE KITCHEN

7
THE MONKS' CELLAR AND LARDER

7.1

THE WESTERN WALK OF THE CLOISTERS (SEE SITE PLAN PAGE 81)

7.2

ON THE AXIS OF THE BUILDING FROM SOUTH TO NORTH

For facsimile color plan see I, 258.

7.2.1

ON THE WEST SIDE (TOP ROW)

7.2.2

ON THE EAST SIDE (BOTTOM ROW)

7.2: On the daily allowance of wine in St. Benedicts's time and at the
time the Plan was drawn, see I, 296-303. On the question of the scale
of the barrels and their sufficiency, see I, 303-305. see also I, 286

8
THE MONKS' KITCHEN

8.1

IN THE PASSAGE FROM THE REFECTORY

8.2

IN THE CENTER OF THE KITCHEN

8.2: The term FORNAX is used in the Monks' Kitchen to mean
hearth or stove. In the Bakery of the House for Distinguished
Guests (10:3) it is used to designate a baking oven.

For facsimile plan see I, 263.

9
THE MONKS' BAKE AND BREWHOUSE

9.1

ON THE ENTRANCE SIDE OF THE HOUSE (EXTERIOR)

9.2

IN THE AISLE FACING THE KITCHEN

9.3

IN THE BREWERY

9.2.1

ON THE NORTH SIDE

9.3.2

IN THE SOUTH AISLE

9.4

IN THE BAKERY

9.4.1

9.4.2

IN THE SOUTH AISLE

For an outline plan, size of original, 1:192, see II, 138.

9.4.3

IN THE EAST AISLE OF THE BAKE & BREW HOUSE

9.4: The drawing fails to show access from the bakery to the lean-to where flour is
stored, or to the aisle which contains the kneading trough. This is among the few
genuine oversights of the drafter of the Plan. See I, 61-66 on rendering of doors, and I,
65-73 on oversights.

10
KITCHEN, BAKE, AND BREW HOUSE FOR DISTINGUISHED GUESTS

10.1

IN THE KITCHEN

10.2

IN THE LARDER

10.3

IN THE MAIN ROOM OF THE BAKERY

10.4

IN THE MAIN ROOM OF THE BREWERY

10.5

IN THE SOUTH AISLE OF THE BAKERY

10.6

IN THE SOUTH AISLE OF THE BREWERY

For facsimile color plan see II, 144.

For author's interpretation see II, 154.

The original form of this not easily readable word, as written by the
main scribe, appears to have been intriuendae, a gerundive form mistakenly
formed from the perfect stem (intrivi) of the verb interere instead
of from its present stem (intero). The supervising scribe discovered and
corrected this faulty conjunction by striking out the letters riu and
replacing them above the line by the letters er. I am indebted to my
colleague Charles E. Murgia both for the palaeographical and grammatical
interpretation of this title. The verb interere, literally `to bruise'
or `to crumble' is commonly used in Classical Latin to designate the
process of transforming small broken-up substances (such as grain
ground into flour) into a pap or paste by mixing them with water or
some other liquid. See Lewis and Short, Classical Dictionary and
Thesaurus Linguae Latinae, s.v.—W.H.

11
THE HOUSE FOR DISTINGUISHED GUESTS

11.1

ALONG THE ENTRANCE SIDE

This building, too, serves for the reception of guests

11.2

IN THE SOUTHERN AISLE

11.2.1

EASTERLY AREA

11.2.2

IN THE CENTRAL AREA

11.2.3

WESTERLY AREA

11.3

IN THE PRINCIPAL HALL

For facsimile color plan see II, 144.

For authors' interpretation see II, 146.

11.3

IN THE PRINCIPAL HALL

11.3.1

IN THE EAST SIDE (ON EACH SIDE OF A DOORWAY)

11.3.2

IN THE CENTER SQUARE

11.3.2: Among the guest and service structures of the Plan, this is the
only one in which the large square at the center of the house is termed
LOCUS FOCI. In two other houses the similar square is termed TESTO (see
above, 12.2, 1, 2, and below, 31.4.1). The two terms are crucial for
identification of the building type (see II, 117-18).

11.3.3

NORTH OF THE FIRE PLACE

11.3.4

ON THE TABLE

11.4

IN THE NORTH AISLE

11.4.1

IN THE EAST AND IN THE WEST SPACES

11.4.2

TO THE NORTH OF EACH OF THESE SPACES

11.5

IN THE CHAMBERS FOR THE GUESTS UNDER THE LEAN-TO'S

11.5.1

IN THE EAST SIDE OF THE PRINCIPAL HALL

For the multivalence of the term CAMINATA, here meaning heatable room,
elsewhere meaning corner fireplace (Abbot's House, 13-4, below, p. 50) see II,
123ff.

11.5.2

IN THE WEST SIDE OF THE PRINCIPAL HALL

11.6

IN THE PRIVY

12
THE OUTER SCHOOL

12.1 ALONG THE ENTRANCE SIDE

For facsimile color plan see II, 169.

For author's interpretation see II, I, 170.

12.3

IN THE OUTER ROOMS READ CLOCKWISE BEGINNING ON THE SOUTH ROWS

12.2 IN THE MAIN HALL

12.2.1 SQUARE, LEFT CENTER

12.2.2 SQUARE, RIGHT CENTER

12.4

IN THE PASSAGE TO THE PRIVY

13
THE ABBOT'S HOUSE

13.1

ALONG THE FENCE SOUTH OF THIS HALL

For facsimile color plan see I, 130.

For authors' interpretation see I, 318, 320, 322.

13.2

IN THE EAST PORCH

13.3

IN THE WEST PORCH

13.4

THE HOUSE ITSELF IS DIVIDED IN TWO AREAS DESIGNATED AS

13.4.1

WRITTEN ACROSS THE TWO ROOMS IS THE PHRASE
(in the hand of the second scribe)

13.4.2

IN THE PASSAGE BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE ABBOT'S HOUSE

13.4.3

IN THE ABBOT'S BEDROOM READING COUNTER CLOCKWISE STARTING ON THE EAST NEAR THE CHIMNEY

* The words DORMITORIUM and MANSIO ABBATIS, designating the
Abbot's dormitory and living room, are in the hand of the main scribe.
The titles SUPER CAMERA, ET SOLARIUM, were added by the supervising
scribe. The word DORMITORIUM, located in the center of the space it
defines, suggests that the main scribe did not yet realize the necessity
for a second title below it. He must have become aware of that need
before he wrote the title MANSIO ABBATIS. Its position in the eastern
half of the room suggests that a second title was to follow in a corresponding
position in its western half. (A similar condition exists in the
House for Horses and Oxen, 33.2, 33.7).

‡ The term CAMINATA written into the ovoid symbols in the contiguous
corners of these two rooms is crucial for their interpretation as corner
fireplaces. There are many of them on the Plan, but only in facilities for
high ranking monastic officials or guests (see I.c, d, e, i, w, 11, 13, 17.c,
d, 20). For the use of CAMINATA as "heatable room" see comments
to the House for Distinguished Guests, 11.

13.4.4

ON EACH SIDE OF ENTRANCE TO CHURCH

13.4.5

ON EACH SIDE OF THE SITTING ROOM

13.5

IN THE PRIVY

14
KITCHEN, CELLAR, AND BATH HOUSE OF THE ABBOT

14.1

IN THE EAST AISLE

14.2

THE MAIN HOUSE IS DIVIDED INTO THESE PARTS ON THE WEST SIDE

14.1.1

14.2.2

14.2.3

15.

For facsimile color plan see I, 310.

For authors' interpretation see I, 322.

HOUSE FOR BLOODLETTING

15
THE HOUSE FOR BLOODLETTING

15.1

WRITTEN ACROSS THE MAIN ROOM IN TWO PARTS

15.1.1

IN THE WESTERN PART

15.1.2

IN THE EASTERN PART

15.2

WRITTEN IN SEPARATED LETTERS, CLOCKWISE BEGINNING ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE ROOM,
THUS,

15: For monastic views on bleeding, and bleeding as a panacea of general
medieval medicine see II, 185-88. For identification of the ovoid symbols
in the corners of this house, and in many other places of the Plan, see commentary
to the Abbot's House (13) where they are defined as "corner
fireplaces."

For facsimile color plan see II, 184.

For authors' interpretation see II, 184.X, 185.X.

16
THE HOUSE OF THE PHYSICIANS

16.1

IN THE MAIN ROOM (ENTERED ON THE SOUTH SIDE)

16.2

IN THE WESTERN AISLE

16.3

IN THE EASTERN AISLE

16.4

IN THE LEAN-TO ON THE NORTH

16.1: The plural form of the title, DOMUS MEDICORUM, makes it clear that
this house accommodated more than one physician working under a chief
physician, who had his own living room occupying the entire eastern aisle of
the house (16.3) and furnished with a corner fireplace.

16.2: The bedroom for critically ill in the opposite aisle, also with corner
fireplace, must have been used for care of the monastery's serfs and workmen,
since novices, ill, or dying, were cared for in the Novitiate (17.c) and Monks'
Infirmary (18.d).

For facsimile color plan see II, 171.

For authors' interpretation see II, 179, 180.

17
THE NOVITIATE AND THE INFIRMARY

ALONG THE AXIS OF THE DOUBLE CHAPEL, 17.a & 17.b, READING FROM EAST TO WEST

17.b

THE CHAPEL FOR THE SICK

17.a

THE CHAPEL FOR THE NOVICES

(AT ENTRANCE TO CHAPEL
FROM CLOISTER WALK FOR NOVICES)

NOTE benches opposite,
in east apse and at altar below, are not identified
by inscriptions

For plan, scale 1:384, see I, 288.

For authors' interpretation see I, 302.

17.c

THE NOVITIATE

17.c.1

IN THE CLOISTER YARD OF THE NOVITIATE, SOUTH OF THE CHAPEL

17.c.2

IN THE CLOISTER WALKS
BEGINNING ON THE WEST IN
THE ARCADE, READING CLOCKWISE

17.c.1: One notices that the scribe rotated the parchment
counter-clockwise as he wrote the inscription (PORTICUS) in the
four sides of the south cloister walk; whereas in the north cloister
walk (17.d.2) the inscription is written from a position on the
east looking west. The inscriptions in the open space of the
cloister, in both cases, are written from this same position.

17.c.3

IN THE WEST WING, SOUTH PART

* See note under 17.d.3, page 58.

17.c.4

IN THE SOUTH WING

17.c.4.1

IN THE WEST SPACE

17.c.4.2

IN THE EXTENSION TO THE SOUTH

17.c.4.3

IN THE EAST SPACE

17.c.5

IN THE EAST WING, SOUTH PART

17.d.3

IN THE WEST WING, NORTH PART

17.d.4

IN THE NORTH WING

17.d.4.1

IN THE WEST PORTION

17.d.4.2

IN THE EAST PORTION

The corner fireplace in each room
is unidentified by an inscription.
Access to each room is from the
arcaded cloister walks, 17.c.2

‡ Refectorium is written with a capital R in the north part of the west wing,
whereas in the corresponding space of the south wing, 17.c.5, spelling is with a
minuscule. The word Camera in both locations is capitalized.

17.d.5

IN THE EAST WING, NORTH PART

17.d.5: The three protrusions to the east of the north part of the east wing are
not identified by written inscriptions, although dormitory and warming room are
identified in both the north and south parts (cf. 17.c.3, p. 55). Corresponding
features in the Novitiate (17.c.5) are identified: CAMINATUS, EXITUS FUMI,
NECESSARIUM.

18
THE KITCHEN AND BATH FOR THE SICK

18.1

IN THE SOUTH HALF OF THE BUILDING

18.2 IN THE NORTH HALF OF THE BUILDING

19
THE KITCHEN AND BATH FOR THE NOVICES

19.1

IN THE SOUTH HALF OF THE BUILDING

19.2

IN THE NORTH HALF OF THE BUILDING

* Letters in brackets are supplied.
Parchment is perforated by damage
in this small area. The b of "balnea"
shows clearly, as does part of the
"a" in a facsimile size negative of
the Plan, in our possession.

20
THE HOUSE OF THE GARDENER

20.1

IN THE NORTH AISLE

20.2

IN THE MAIN ROOM

20.3

IN THE SOUTH AISLE

20.4

IN THE EAST AISLE

21
THE GOOSEHOUSE

CAPITALIS RUSTICA, in a free cursive form, was used as a
display letter on the Plan with great restraint.

Easily understood is its use in the entrance road to the Church
(I, 128), in the Presbytery (I, 139), in the eastern Paradise
(I, 155), on the west atrium, on the longitudinal axis of the
Church (I, 128), and in the chapels of the Novitiate (I, 311).

That capitalis rustica was used to identify the houses for
poultry (II, 268), and for the Monks' Vegetable Garden
(II, 203), touches the student of the Plan with some wonder.

While the letters in the Monks' Vegetable Garden are so
small and widely spaced as to almost escape notice, in the
Goosehouse capitalis rustica is used in the largest size and
most elegant display found in the Plan. The chicken house is
honored with a similar display but with smaller letters.

WRITTEN CLOCKWISE IN THE CIRCULAR GOOSE RUN
BEGINNING ON THE WEST SIDE AND ADJACENT TO THE POINT OF ENTRY.

BUILDING 21 AND 23:

The circles of the Goosehouse and the Henhouse are neither continuous nor accurate
enough to be compass drawn, but too accurate to have been drawn freehand. As no
auxiliary work lines are to be discovered on the parchment, we have assumed
(I, 15-19) that the circles were traced, a principal argument in our contention that
the Plan as a whole is not an original drawing but a traced copy. Among other
circles similarly treated, the most important are those of the ambo and the baptismal
font in the Church (1.2 and 1.5).

For facsimile size plan see II, 265.

22
THE HOUSE OF THE FOWLKEEPERS

22.2

IN THE NORTH AISLE

22.1

IN THE MAIN ROOM

22.3

IN THE SOUTH HALL

‡ One curious feature of the design is that the east-west axis of the circle, more
or less parallel with the east-west axis of the Church, and the north-south axis
of the circle parallel to the axis of the transept, do not coincide with any of the
lobes of the system of lobe axis, but instead fall between four pairs of lobes.

For facsimile size plan see II, 265.

For authors' interpretation see II, 258, 260, 262.

23
THE HENHOUSE

ENTRANCE TO THE HEN RUN

The entrance to the hen run is on
axis with the entrance to the
goose run and the two
entrances of the main room of
the Fowlkeeper's House, 22.

Within the circle of the hen run the inscription of 38 letters is
more spaciously composed than the inscription of 48 letters
within the circle of the goose run.

Capitalis rustica, written to a curve of circular configuration
occurs in only two other places in the Plan, in the eastern
Paradise and in the western Paradise with its adjacent arcade.
An eight lobed ornamental rosette occurs in a central position in
each poultry house. A similar, but smaller, pair of eight lobed
rosettes occurs in a central position in the tower of St. Michael
and in the tower of St. Gabriel (building numbers I.k and I.l,
page 35). These four are the only rosettes in the Plan.
Located on axes of opposing direction, these four rosettes—the
sacred four—compose, in the mind, a sacred cross.
Is the drawing of an eight-lobed rosette in the center of
goose and hen houses of any symbolic significance at this
location? Or is it simply a pretty decoration and a
convenient ornament to compose in a circle? These are
difficult questions to resolve. Apparently the scribe chose not
to use the six-lobed configuration, more common, no doubt;
because of the great facility with which the "hex"
configuration is constructed with a compass. A case for
possible apotropaic implications is made, I, 131.

WRITTEN CLOCKWISE IN THE CHICKEN RUN
BEGINNING ON THE EAST ADJACENT TO AND
STARTING ON THE LEFT OF THE POINT OF
ENTRY IN TO THE RUNWAY

(an arrangement identical to that of the Goosehouse)

For facsimile color plan see I, 20 and II, 265.

For authors' interpretation see II, 273.

24
THE GRANARY

24.1

IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE GRANARY

24.2

ALONG THE ENTRANCE SIDE (ON THE EAST) OF THE GRANARY

24.3

IN THE ARMS OF THE THRESHING FLOOR IN THE FORM OF A CROSS

For facsimile color plan see II, 214.

For authors' interpretation see II, 220, 221.

25
THE GREAT COLLECTIVE WORKSHOP

25.1

ALONG THE ENTRANCE SIDE OR NORTH SIDE OF THE HOUSE

25.2

IN THE NORTH SIDE

25.3.1

IN THE WESTERN LEAN-TO

25.3.2

IN THE EASTERN LEAN-TO

25.4

IN THE MAIN HALL

25.5

IN THE SOUTH AISLE [see next page]

For facsimile color plan see II, 130.

For authors' interpretation see II, 191, 192, 193.

25.5

IN THE SOUTH AISLE

26
THE ANNEX OF THE GREAT COLLECTIVE WORKSHOP

26.1

IN THE WORKSHOP ON THE NORTH

26.2

IN THE SOUTH AISLE, PERTAINING TO ALL WORKSHOPS OF THE ANNEX

For facsimile color plan see II, 190.

For authors' interpretation see II, 194.

27
THE MILL

27.1

IN THE NORTH SPACE

concerning this word, see note for building

number 29, next page

27.2

IN THE SOUTH SPACE

NOTE: for text relating to this building,

see II, 233ff.

For facsimile color plan see II, 224.

For authors' interpretation see II, 232, 233.

28
THE MORTAR

28.1

IN THE NORTH SPACE

concerning this word see note for building

number 29, next page

28.2

IN THE SOUTH SPACE

NOTE: for text relating to this building

see II, 236ff.

For facsimile color plan see II, 224.

For authors' interpretation see II, 246, 247.

29
THE DRYING KILN

29.1

IN THE NORTH SPACE

29.2

IN THE SOUTH SPACE

NOTE

Buildings 27, 28, 29 are a trio of which the titling in the
north aisle must be read as a phrase, reading left to right,
i.e., west to east, thus—

eorundem famulorum cubilia

their servants' bedrooms

For facsimile color plan see II, 224.

For authors' interpretation see II, 248.

30
THE HOUSE OF THE COOPERS, THE WHEELWRIGHTS,
AND THE BREWERS' GRANARY

30.1

ALONG THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING

30.2

IN THE WORKSHOP OF THE COOPERS

30.3

IN THE WORKSHOP OF THE WHEELWRIGHTS

30.4

IN THE AISLE OF THE WORKSHOPS FOR BOTH CRAFTS

30.5

THE BREWERS' GRANARY

30.5.1

IN THE BREWERS' GRANARY IN THE CRUCIFORM AREA

For facsimile color plan see II, 196.

For authors' interpretation see II, 199, 200, 202.

30.5.2

IN THE BREWERS' GRANARY IN THE 4 CORNERS OF THE GRANARY

31
THE HOSPICE FOR PILGRIMS AND PAUPERS

31.1

ALONG THE ENTRANCE OF THE BUILDING ON THE EAST

31.2

IN THE EAST AISLE

For facsimile color plan see II, 140.

For authors' interpretation see II, 142, 143.

31.3

IN THE WEST AISLE

31.4

THE MAIN ROOM

31.4.1

IN THE RECTANGLE IN THE CENTER OF THE MAIN ROOM

31.5

IN THE LEAN-TO'S, NORTH SIDE AND SOUTH SIDE

32
THE KITCHEN, BAKE, & BREW HOUSE FOR PILGRIMS & PAUPERS

32.1

IN THE BREWHOUSE: MAIN ROOM, NORTH PART

32.3

IN THE AISLE OF THE BREWHOUSE NORTH & WEST

For facsimile color plan see II, 140.

For authors' interpretation see II, 143.

32.2

IN THE BAKEHOUSE: MAIN ROOM, SOUTH PART

32.3

IN THE AISLE OF THE BAKEHOUSE SOUTH & WEST

34
THE HOUSE FOR THE EMPEROR'S FOLLOWING

THE IDENTIFICATION OF THIS BUILDING IS NOT CERTAIN

HOUSE FOR VASSALS AND KNIGHTS WHO TRAVEL IN THE EMPEROR'S FOLLOWING

The identification of this building is uncertain, because its explanatory titles were erased in the twelfth century to make room for the last paragraph of the
text of a LIFE OF ST. MARTIN, which a monk of the twelfth century wrote on the back of the Plan and spilled over onto the recto, when the verso
was taken up by his writing. An attempt made early in the nineteenth century to revive the inscriptions through chemical treatment destroyed them forever.
More recent efforts (1949) to make them legible with the aid of X-ray and infra-red photography brought no clarity into the matter (page II, 159).

The distribution of blue streaks left on the parchment by the chemical employed discloses that the house was originally provided with a long title, running
parallel to the entrance side, unquestionably defining the function of the building, as is done by titles similarly placed in other buildings. Shorter blue
blotches visible in the interior of the building reveal the location of other titles once designating the purpose of the component interior spaces.

Of the line work of the house itself enough is left to disclose that it consisted of a great central hall with an open fireplace and a complete perimeter of
outer rooms ranged symmetrically around it. It differed from the general run of houses of this type by its gigantic dimensions (100 feet long and 80 feet
wide) as well as the fact that its (only!) entrance was located not in the center of one of its long walls, but in the middle of one of its two shorter walls.
As in all of the other houses of this construction type the peripheral rooms are accessible from the center space exclusively, and every man or beast, to
reach his place of rest in any of these outer rooms, would have to be channeled through this center space, which can in turn only be entered through a
vestibule located in the middle of the aisle that runs along the entrance side of the house.

We have set forth, in our textual discussion of this structure (Vol. II, pp. 166ff), the reasons why we presume that it served as a House for the Vassals and
Knights who travelled in the Emperor's Court.

For authors' interpretation see II, 160-64

35
THE HOUSE FOR SHEEP AND SHEPHERDS

35.1

ALONG THE ENTRANCE SIDE ON THE EAST

35.2

IN THE AISLE NORTH & SOUTH OF THE ENTRY

35.3

IN THE MAIN ROOM

For facsimile color plan see page II, 298.

For authors' interpretation see BUILDING TYPE 38, II, 157.

35.4

IN THE U-SHAPED AISLE AROUND THE LIVING ROOM

36 THE HOUSE FOR THE GOATS AND THE GOATHERDS

36.1

ALONG THE ENTRANCE SIDE ON THE EAST

36.1: This hexameter is the only
instance on the Plan where the term
DOMUS designates an entire
structure. In eleven other houses,
DOMUS refers to the central hall.
This common living space is
variously called DOMUS
COMMUNIS (12.2, 22.1) and
IPSA DOMUS (20.2, 35.3), or by
the name or occupation of those
inhabiting the buildings (16.1,
25.4, 31.4, 38.3, 39.3, 40.3). A
typical example, DOMUS
ARMENTARIORUM (37.3), is
shown on the next page.

The absence of an inscription
in the main or central area
of this type of building in
the Plan is most exceptional.

36.2

TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE ENTRANCE ON THE EAST

36.3

in the U-shaped area, north, west, and south of the main room (written counter-clockwise)

For facsimile color plan see II, 244.

For authors' interpretation see BUILDING TYPES, 38, II, 157.

37
THE HOUSE FOR COWS AND COWHERDS

37.1

ALONG THE ENTRANCE SIDE ON THE EAST

* barely visible

37.2

AT THE EASTERN EXTREMITIES OF THE LEAN-TO'S

37.3

IN THE MAIN ROOM

For facsimile color plan see II, 286.

For authors' interpretation see II, 290-91.

37.4

IN THE WEST AISLE (U-shaped)

38
THE HOUSE FOR SERVANTS OF OUTLYING ESTATES AND FOR SERVANTS
TRAVELLING WITH THE EMPEROR'S COURT

38.1

ALONG THE ENTRANCE SIDE ON THE EAST

38: The lack of inscriptions in the
U-shaped space on the north, west, and
south of the central hall is noteworthy,
since close to a dozen other similar
buildings on the Plan are systematically
labeled as to facility and function.
On the basis of precedent it might be
argued that the purpose of these
unidentified areas was self evident
(storage, stables, sleeping quarters) since
the chief function of the house was known
by its explanatory title. But sophisticated
architectural perceptions typical of the
Plan's least details are not elsewhere left
to subjective interpretation. It may be
more accurate to infer that when the
Plan was traced some question still
remained open as to final determination
of the specific disposition of these areas;
hence specific designation was omitted.

38.2

IN THE EAST AISLE TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH OF
THE ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING

For facsimile color plan see II, 156.

For authors' interpretation see II, 157.

38.3

IN THE MAIN HALL

39
THE HOUSE FOR SWINE AND SWINEHERDS

39.1

ALONG THE ENTRANCE SIDE ON THE EAST

39: In building 38, the unlabeled U-shaped
area around the central hall can
only have served as a dormitory strewn
with pallets for repose, and heaps of
travellers' trappings—or perhaps, if the
servants were so lucky as to be mounted,
with harness tack and the mounts
themselves. In the House for Swine and
Swineherds, herdsmen's sleeping quarters
are designated on the east side (cf.
guardians' quarters, building 38). The
unlabeled areas were likely intended to
shelter swine. But absence of drawing (cf.
ox stalls, building 33) or inscriptions may
indicate that the kind of pen to be
installed for pigs was not determined
when the Plan was traced.

Sole access to the inner spaces of the
buildings lay through the vestibule
(center, east side). Swine herded to their
pens would have to pass right through the
herders' quarters, certainly a very social
arrangement and highly nondiscriminatory.

39.2

IN THE EAST AISLE TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH OF
THE ENTRANCE VESTIBULE

For facsimile color plan see II, 296.

For authors' interpretation see BUILDING TYPES 38, II, 157.

39.3

IN THE MAIN ROOM OF THE BUILDING

40
THE HOUSE FOR THE BROOD MARES AND FOALS AND THEIR KEEPERS

40.1

ALONG THE ENTRANCE SIDE ON THE EAST

40.2

ON THE EAST END OF THE U-SHAPED LEAN-TO'S

For facsimile color plan see II, 292.

For authors' interpretation see BUILDING TYPE 37, II, 290-91.

40.3

IN THE MAIN ROOM

40.4

IN THE WEST AISLE

W
THE MONKS' CLOISTER YARD

W.1

IN THE NORTHERN WALK OF THE CLOISTER ADJACENT TO AND PARALLEL TO THE CHURCH

W.2

IN THE ARCHES OF THE NORTHERN WALK TO THE WEST AND TO THE EAST OF THE CENTRAL ARCH

W.1: Descriptive titles are written only within the small arches of the north side of
the cloister wall.

Arches giving access to the yard occur in groups of four. On each side of the four
principal arches are four small arches rising from plinths. From each of the four
principal arches a path extends to what appears to be a square planting bed in
which four junipers emerge radially from an inner circular bed.

The stress on four is emphatic. The graphic delineation of a cross in the layout
of the yard is unmistakable.

For facsimile color plan of CLOISTER see I, 257.

For author's interpretation see I, 158, figure 107, scale 1:384, and also
figure 69, scale 1:192, CONSTRUCTION OF CLOISTER YARD.

N. The inscription in the cloister walk on the north is treated above on this page.

W. Treated under building 7, c.83, page 41.

S. Treated under building 6, the Monks' Cellar and Larder, c.78, page 39.

Treated under building 3, Monks' Dormitory and Warming Room, c.70, page 36.

W.3

IN A CIRCLE IN THE CENTER OF THE CLOISTER RECTANGLE

W.4

IN THE OPEN SPACE OF THE CLOISTER YARD WRITTEN CLOCKWISE AROUND THE CENTER FEATURE BEGINNING ON
THE WESTERLY SIDE

W.3: For an extended discussion of Juniperus sabina, its inclusion among
the plants listed on the Plan of St. Gall, and its use in such a prominent
location in the design of the Cloister yard, see I, 246-48.

The four specimens depicted in highly stylized side view in the Cloister yard
scale about eight to nine feet, conforming to the growth range for Juniperus
sabina (see note, preceding page).

X
THE MONKS' VEGETABLE GARDEN

X.1

IN THE OUTER PATH, ON THE NORTH SIDE & SOUTH SIDE, WIDELY SPACED, WRITTEN IN CAPITALIS RUSTICA

X.2

IN THE CENTER PATH, LIKE THE CAPITALIS RUSTICA, READING WEST TO EAST

X.3

IN THE TWO ROWS OF VEGETABLE PLOTS (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)

For facsimile color plan see II, 204 and caption, II, 205.

For modular analysis, scale 1:192, see I, 88.

X.3

IN THE TWO ROWS OF VEGETABLE PLOTS

see previous page for full layout of the MONKS' VEGETABLE GARDEN

Y
THE MONKS' CEMETERY AND ORCHARD

Y.1 EACH SIDE OF MONUMENTAL CROSS IN THE CENTER AND ABOVE AND BELOW ITS CROSS BAR

Y.1.1

Y.1.2

Y.1.3

Y.1.4

Y.3.1

Y.2.1

NORTH OF THE CROSS

Y.2.2

SOUTH OF THE CROSS

Y.3.2

For facsimile color plan and caption,
see II, 210.

Y.4

THE TREES TO THE EAST OF THE CROSS

NOTE

There are thirteen symbols for trees, and thirteen titles defining their species. Nine of these have been treated with the same chemical substances
which obliterated the titles of the large building in the northwest corner of the monastery site, but these are still legible. Two other chemical
blotches along the north side of the corner trees on the entrance side of the Cemetery suggest that there may have been titles for two additional
species, no longer identifiable today. Keller believed he recognized the letters mal and r and reconstructed these words as malarius (apple)
and pinus (pine). The names of trees in Orchard and plants in Medicinal Herb Garden (p. 88) were written by the supervising scribe.

Y.5

THE TREES TO THE WEST OF THE CROSS

* see note, foot of opposite page

Z
THE MEDICAL HERB GARDEN

Z.1

IN THE PERIPHERAL ROW OF PLANTING BEDS, READING CLOCKWISE, STARTING AT THE ENTRANCE

Z.1.1

Z.1.4

ENTRANCE

Z.1.2

Z.1.3

IN THE CENTER PATH (READING VERTICALLY)

Z.2 PLANTING BEDS, SOUTH ROW

For facsimile color plan and authors' interpretation with caption concerning
the place of the garden in the scheme of medical facilities see II, 182.

CATALOGUE OF EXPLANATORY TITLES

END