Museo dell'Abbazia di Chiaravalle della Colomba

About the museum

The Abbey of Chiaravalle della Colomba stands in the plain of Piacenza, in the municipality of Alseno, and is the most important Cistercian presence in Emilia. It was founded in 1136 at the initiative of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, at the request of Arduino and the local community, and is dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta. The name “della Colomba” derives from a legend according to which a white dove traced the perimeter of the monastery with twigs, but it probably refers to the mystery of the Annunciation.

Work on the Romanesque-Gothic basilica began shortly after 1145, and the medieval parts were completed over the following two centuries, after damage caused in 1248 by the troops of Frederick II. The cloister, intact on all sides, is one of the best-preserved among Cistercian abbeys. In 1444 the abbey was given in commendam, and in the following centuries the complex was enlarged.

The museum occupies the monks' dormitory on the first floor and is freely accessible from the cloister during the abbey's opening hours. With illustrative panels it presents the history of the Cistercian Order and of the monastery: the foundation, the agricultural economy based on the work of the monks, the lay brothers (conversi), the granges, daily life and Cistercian architecture. The visit also includes the basilica, the cloister and the chapter house, as well as an animated artistic nativity scene.

Highlights

• Museum in the former monks' dormitory
• Route with panels on the history of the Cistercian Order and the abbey
• Cloister intact on four sides
• Romanesque-Gothic basilica of the 12th and 13th centuries
• Animated artistic nativity scene

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso museale sulla storia dell'abbazia e dell'Ordine cistercense – Didactic panels in the former monks' dormitory on the foundation, agricultural economy, lay brothers, granges and daily life in the monastery.

Operated by

Comunità monastica cistercense di Chiaravalle della Colomba

Visitors per year

approx. 1,500

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission; guided visits for groups and schools must be booked.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is on the first floor, in the former monks' dormitory; the sources consulted do not indicate the presence of a lift.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The abbey can also be reached on foot from the Chiaravalle rest area on the A1 motorway, a walk of about 600 metres along a pedestrian road. It lies on the Via Francigena.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

There is a liqueur shop (selling monastic products) in the abbey complex.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit