Abbazia di Chiaravalle di Fiastra
	The Abbey of S. Maria di Fiastra was founded by Cistercian monks of the Abbey of Chiaravalle of Milan. Twelve monks arrived on November 12, 1142, and started the construction of the Abbey. They used stone from the destroyed town of Urbs Salvia. In 1422, the Abbey was sacked and destroyed. In 1456 a group of cardinals arranged the reconstruction and restoration of the Abbey. For many centuries, the Abbey was overseen by wealthy landowners. On March 12, 1985, after centuries of being located in Rome, a small group of monks of the Abbey of S. Maria of Chiaravalle returned to live and worship in their own monastery. The church is pure Cistercian, typical of the transition between Romanesque and Gothic. There are three naves in a latin cross, divided by eight spans of romanesque arches. The only decorations are the carved capitals of the columns, and the two rose-windows (one on the facade, seen above, and the other in the Presbytery).Some frescos have been preserved inside. The cloister is square, with eight arches on each side, and a well in the center. The Prince's Palace, where the wealthy landowners used to live, is on the south side of the cloister. It is in the neoclassical style, with a scenic park adjoining outdoors.
				Back to Weekend Trips