The importance of graphic representation in monastic hydraulics: Saint-Gall, Christchurch and Vallbona de les Monges

Graphic representations of monastic hydraulic systems, preserved through centuries in manuscripts from Saint-Gall Abbey, Christchurch, and Vallbona de les Monges, offer critical insights into the 'invisible architecture' beneath these UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These drawings reveal intricate water supply channels, irrigation rights, and pumping mechanisms that were integral to monastic life but have largely vanished today. The study highlights how early Christian monasticism transitioned from anchoritic lifestyles to organized communities with sophisticated hydraulic infrastructure, demonstrating the enduring significance of graphic documentation in understanding historical engineering practices.

López, J. M. L., Millán, M. I. P., & Avilés, A. B. G. (2015). The importance of graphic representation in monastic hydraulics: Saint-Gall, Christchurch and Vallbona de les Monges. Water and Society III, 1, 377–387. https://doi.org/10.2495/ws150321