ABSTRACT
The role of monasteries regarding the economic, social and cultural development of Europe, particularly in the Middle Ages, is well known. The monasteries were also integrated and recognized in another way in medieval Christian society, which was known as the Three Orders Society. Monastic communities use their economic activities as a way of giving witness. They show that it is possible to maintain values which are often lacking in the capitalist economy, such as respect for people and working in harmony rather than in competition. Until recently, monasteries in Europe had a significant role in the social and economic development of their region. Monasteries are known to have been places of innovation throughout history, for instance concerning the use of hydraulic energy. The primary purpose of the monastic economy is subsistence. The development actions observed in the monasteries are as much about responding to immediate needs as about more sustainable investments.
