Albugnano - Abbazia di Vezzolano

Legends connect the foundation of the Abbazia Santa Maria di Vezzolano to Charlemagne. It does date back to the eighth century and got destroyed in the 10th century by the Saracens.

The complex was rebuilt until 1189 and is documented as an Augustinian monastery from 1095. It was a seat of a community until the 19th century, when it was suppressed during the Napoleonic invasion of Italy.

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The nave is divided by jubé. The jubé has five ogival arches, and is decorated by two rows of polychrome sculptures. In the lower one is a series of 36 ancestors of Jesus. In the upper row are scenes of the life of Mary and the symbols of the four Evangelists.

The jubé was created by a Burgundian school. The long inscription tells, that it was was completed in 1189.

The serie of Jesus`ancestestors follows the Gospel of Matthew. Five of patriarchs are not on the jubé, but painted on the columns flanking it. Maybe the structure was originally longer, perhaps it is planned for another location, and then reduced at the time of its current installation.