The maximum contiguous area for garden modules is a plus-sign shape or a filled diamond. However, because modules must be placed edge-to-edge starting from the monastery, the most efficient shape is a cross extending in the four cardinal directions, then filling the diagonal gaps.
If the monastery is centered inside the Noria’s radius (e.g., its center at distance 5 from Noria), then all 24 possible modules might be watered. But if the monastery is near the edge, only 12–16 modules will be watered. Thus, pre-planning your monastery location before building Norias is critical. 4. Three Optimal Layouts Based on extensive testing (via the Anno 1404 community forums and my own simulations using the game’s map editor), three layouts dominate. 4.1 The Compact Production Layout (for Herbs or Grapes) Goal: Maximize watered modules for resource production, ignoring aesthetics. anno 1404 monastery garden layout
Moreover, the irrigation requirement mirrors the reality of medieval terraforming : Cistercians built leats and aqueducts to water desert gardens (e.g., the Monastery of Santa Maria de Huerta in Spain). The Noria (a Persian water wheel introduced to Europe via Al-Andalus) is historically accurate for the 15th century. Even experienced players make these errors: The maximum contiguous area for garden modules is