Piona Abbey, Medieval abbey in Colico, Italy
Piona Abbey is a monastery on the Olgiasca peninsula on the eastern shore of Lake Como, built from white stone with a distinctive rectangular bell tower. The complex includes a church, residential buildings, and a cloister that together form a unified monastic ensemble.
The monastery was founded in the 7th century and developed over centuries, with a new church dedicated in 1138. In the 20th century, Cistercian monks arrived to continue the community's traditional practices.
The square cloister displays stone columns with carved plant designs and religious images of saints that reflect the monastic way of life. These spaces served as gathering places where the community prayed and worked together daily.
The site can be visited on foot, allowing time to explore the monastery and cloister, especially during quiet morning hours. Comfortable shoes are helpful since the ancient stone floors and pathways can be uneven.
The monks produce medicinal herbs, natural cosmetics, honey, and liqueurs today using ancient recipes based on the community's traditional methods. Visitors can find these handmade products at the site.
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