Parlour

The parlour (or auditorium) is an elongated room of 38 m² which served as the office of the prior, the abbot’s right-hand. It was the only place in the monastery where the monks were allowed to talk to each other, under the supervision of their superior. Silence was compulsory in all buildings outside the parlour. If the monks needed to communicate with each other, they did so by signs, but only to convey practical information.