Alseno - Chiaravalle della Colomba

The "Abbazia di Chiaravalle della Colomba" was founded in 1136. It was one of the earliest Cistercian monasteries in Italy. It was a "filiation" of the famous abbey Clairvaux (and maybe even Bernard of Clairvaux was involved). "Chiaravalle" = "claravallis" - just like "Clairvaux".

The abbey was sacked and burned in 1248 by Frederick II of Swabia (aka "Frederick the One-Eyed") during his siege of Parma.

In 1805 Napoleon's rule led to suppression of the order. In 1810, properties were assigned to the Civil Hospital of Piacenza. The archives and library were sold.

Cistercian monks returned in 1937 and by now the abbey has joint ownership with the state.

The church was erected during the 12th and 13th centuries, but was refurbished during the 15th century.

The abbey has an estraordinary cloister added within the 13th century. At that time, the strict Cistercian soberity, still visible in the church´s interior, must have softened, as here are even sculpted capitals, or as Bernard of Clairvaux called them "ridicula monstruositas".

The portal of the monks chapter room open to the cloister, that is mirrored in the windowpane. Untypically for a Cistercian abbey is the architectural beauty - and the sculpted capitals.