Monastery

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Abbey, Cloister, Convent, Priory, Convent, Nunnery

Category

Public Facilities, Attractions, Heritage Attractions, Tourism

Message / Function

To indicate the location of a monastery, abbey, or nunnery

	Source	Description
	Argentina SSTN	Front view of building with steeple, arched doorway and several arched windows
	Castilla y León	Frontal view of church with round window and an aisle on both sides
	Galicia	View of complex of buildings with steeple, several arched openings, tree on the right
	Galicia	Clipped view of arcades with three columns visible, indicating cloister
	Québec	Frontal view of of monk wearing a cowl and standing on surface accessing arch behind
	BTA 1989	Latin cross with round knobs at the ends of each arm

Note: Some of the examples shown above were mirrored horizontally to contrast differences.

Discussion

The diversity of the sparse collection of symbols above already indicates that no single visual stereotype exists to indicate the location of a monastery, abbey, or nunnery. Designs range from renderings of various types of buildings and building details, the frontal view of a monk wearing a cowl and standing in front of an arch, to simple symbols like the latin cross with round knobs at the ends of each arm. Several pictograms presented above are intended not only for this referent, but also for related attractions like churches or cathedrals, and images of a church or a latin cross cannot ensure a clear differentiation between these types of structures. Often a monastery is a complex of buildings that also includes a place dedicated for prayer like a chapel, church, or temple.

In our research we did not discover any test data on comprehensibility of pictograms used to indicate the location of a monastery, abbey, or nunnery.

Recommendations

Due to the fact that no data concerning comprehensibility of any pictogram variant is available, we recommend to collect or design more pictograms, and to conduct research using the Comprehensibility Estimation procedure for eliminating poor variants and identifying the best of the set available, followed by a Comprehension Test. These studies should deliver useful data for recommending one or several pictograms. Detailed information about the most frequent responses given in each of the response categories of the Comprehension Test should be provided to correctly judge comprehensibility and improve designs. Also information concerning knowledge about this type of structure should be collected at the end of the test, as the degree of familiarity with the referent examined will have a significant impact on the validity of the data collected.

Tests of pictograms of referent Monastery

No data from research or tests is available in our database.