Abbeys of the Bassa Milanese

South of Milan, in an already rural area known as the Bassa Milanese, there are several abbeys, starting with the Abbey of Clairvaux.

Abbey of Clairvaux

The Abbey of Clairvaux is a Gothic monument (Abbazia di Chiaravalle in Italian) in Chiaravalle Milanese, in the Agricultural Park (Parco Agricolo Sud di Milano), to the southeast 5 km from Porta Romana.
It was founded in 1135 by Bernard of Clairvaux himself (“clair vaux”, literally “clear valleys”, being translated into Italian in the singular as “chiara valle”, that is chiaravalle), and stands out in particular for its lantern tower of marble and brick built at the end of the 13th century.
The church was built between 1172 and 1221, the cloister dates back to the 13th century and the Chapter House preserves remarkable frescoes.

Abbey of Viboldone

The Abbey of Viboldone is further away, 12 km from Porta Romana, founded in 1176 by the Order of the Humiliati (founded in Lombardy in 1140). Only the church remains, in the Lombard-Gothic style, which preserves beautiful 14th-century frescoes painted by pupils of Giotto.

Abbey of Mirasole

The Abbey of Mirasole, 10 km south of Porta Romana, is a monastic complex founded in the 13th century by the Humiliati, which has preserved its original structure, with the church of Santa Maria Assunta and the adjoining buildings, including the bell tower, the charming cloister, its agricultural area, stables and spinning mill.

Abbey of Morimondo

The Cistercian Abbey of Morimondo is located nearly 30 km to the southwest, and was the first construction of this style in Lombardy (4th in Italy). The late 12th – late 13th century church is well preserved.

Information

• Wikipedia articles: Abbey of Clairvaux, Abbey of Mirasole, Abbey of Morimondo, Abbey of Viboldone,
• Tourist portals: lombardia.italiaguida.it, www.in-lombardia.it