The calefactory (also ''warming house'') was an important room or building in a

medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with the fall of the West ...

monastery A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of Monasticism, monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in Cenobitic monasticism, communities or alone (hermits). A monastery generally includes a ...

Western Europe Western Europe is the western region of Europe. The region's extent varies depending on context. The concept of "the West" appeared in Europe in juxtaposition to "the East" and originally applied to the Western half of the ancient Mediterranean ...

. In the present day it is a communal place of recreation and fellowship in religious houses such as monasteries, priories, and convents.

Monasteries in the Medieval and Middle Ages

In this period the calefactory had a communal fire kept ablaze so that the monks could warm themselves after long hours of study in the (unheated) cloister or other work. In the early

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ...

, this was one of the few heated rooms in the monastery – the others being the infirmary, the guest house and the kitchen. This policy was generally relaxed, save for a few very strict orders, by the latter part of the medieval period when fireplaces became common throughout the claustral buildings. The warming house was always one of the buildings surrounding the cloister and was entered from it. It was often located close to the refectory so that the warmth could be shared by the monks when they were eating. In many monasteries, an upper floor was built over the warming house that served as the muniment room, where the house's

charter A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified. It is implicit that the granter retains superiority (or sovereignty), and that the ...

s, deeds and other legal documents were kept safe from damp.

Present Day

In the present day, monasteries, priories, convents and other religious houses often have a calefactory as a place where social gatherings or meetings, councils, or chapters are held. The uses for each will depend on the customary of each house.

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* * Christian monastic architecture Rooms {{Room-stub