The abbey of
Piona, or more precisely the Priory of Piona, a typical building of art in
squared stone, also reachable from the lake by boat, is a rare jewel of Lombard
Romanesque architecture.
Located
on the Olgiasca peninsula, opposite Gravedona on the extreme point of the Lecco
branch, it offers a splendid panoramic view of the western coast of the Lario,
as well as the opportunity to savor the tranquility and peace enjoyed by the
Cistercian monks who still live there today.
History of the Abbey
Already in the seventh century there was the first monastic
community, probably of a hermitic setting, of the Abbey of Piona; however, in
the eleventh century it was involved in the Cluniac reform, which involved the
transfer of some monks from Cluny to abbeys that risked being abandoned.
Precisely on this occasion, in 1138, the church was dedicated to the Virgin,
while the first mention of the Cluniac monastery dates back to 1169, when it
comes to his dedication to San Nicolò.
Architecture
In the architecture of the church we find the full
expression of the Lombard Romanesque style, where was used Comacina stone ,
while the cloister dates back to around 1250, in fact in the architecture of
the latter we also find Gothic traces. The four sides of the cloister represent
the four cardinal points and the four elements of the universe, the source and
the tree inside it are to be interpreted as a representation of the earthly
paradise.
Nature and lake
Inside the Priory of Piona we find the gardens and the olive
grove, which express the classic philosophy of life in full harmony with the
nature of the monks who follow the rule of St. Benedict. Speaking of nature, it
is also worth mentioning the lake, which can be admired from pratically every
part of the abbey.
Info: https://www.abbaziadipiona.it/
Abbazia Cistercense di
S.Maria di Piona
Via Abbazia di Piona, 55, 23823 Colico (LC)
Tel. 0341-940331
