The cloister´s lavatorium marks the entrance to the Refectory and served for ablutions - ritual washing. During the meals sacred texts were read aloud from the pulpit. The refectory has groined vaults and the capitals of its columns are enhanced with botanical motifs. One of the loveliest architectural elements of the ensamble is the Reader´s Pulpit. An extremely norrow opening before the pulpit, which is thought to have been where the food was distributed, connected the Refectory to the former kitchen which, in the 17th Century was transformed into the Cloister of King Afonso VI. In compliance with the regulations, the tables were norrow and placed against the walls so that the monks were back to back. The Abbot sat with his back to the north and the prior on his right. Because of the silence imposed by the Order, the monks used signs to communicate during the meals while one of them, standing in the pulpit, read the Bible. There is no trace of the refectory belfry, one of the three prescribed by the Order, nor the Dormitory belfry.