Overview Plan of Saint Gall

a copy of plan

because plan not correspond place built, every aspect of plan disputed modern scholars. debates continue on things such system of measurement used; whether scale single scale entire plan or varied different elements; if plan copy lost prototype or original; if reflective of single individual s ideas, or of monastic council.

despite unknowns, has been learned medieval life plan. absence of heating in dining hall, instance, may not have been oversight meant discourage excessive enjoyment of meals. in quarters 120–150 monks, guests, , visitors, ratio of toilet seats better modern hygienic codes prescribe.

the dedication

the plan dedicated gozbertus, abbot of st gall 816–36. text reads [as translated horn english]

for thee, sweetest son gozbertus, have drawn briefly annotated copy of layout of monastic buildings, may exercise ingenuity , recognize devotion, whereby trust not find me slow satisfy wishes. not imagine have undertaken task supposing stand in need of our instruction, rather believe out of love of god , in friendly zeal of brotherhood have depicted alone scrutinise. farewell in christ, mindful of us, amen.

the latin reads:

haec tibi dulcissime fili cozb(er)te de posicione officinarum paucis examplata direxi, quibus sollertiam exerceas tuam, meamq(ue) devotione(m) utcumq(ue) cognoscas, qua tuae bonae voluntari satisfacere me segnem non inveniri confido. ne suspiceris autem me haic ideo elaborasse, quod vos putemus n(ost)ris indigere magisteriis, sed potius ob amore(m) dei tibi soli p(er) scrutinanda pinxisse amicabili fr(ater)nitatis intuitu crede. vale in chr(ist)o semp(er) memor n(ost)ri ame(n).