Monastic cell

A cell is a small room used by a hermit, monk, nun or anchorite to live and as a devotional space.

Cells are often part of larger cenobitic monastic communities such as Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and Orthodox Christian monasteries, as well as Buddhist vihara,[1] but may also form stand-alone structures in remote locations.

The first cells were in the Nitrian Desert in Egypt following the ministry of Paul of Thebes,[4] Serapion, and Anthony the Great.

In some orders, such as the Trappists, the monks or nuns do not have cells but sleep in a large room called a dormitory.

In eremitic orders like the Carthusians, the room called cell usually has the size and look of a small house with a separate garden.