Tiglieto Abbey, Tiglieto, Italy - SpottingHistory.com

Tiglieto Abbey, founded in 1120, was the first Cistercian abbey to be founded in Italy, and also the first outside France. It was a daughter house of La Ferté Abbey. The first abbot was probably Opizzone. It may have gained the name Tiglieto after being given the estate of that name by the Margrave Anselm of Ponsone in 1131.

In 1442, through Pope Eugenius IV, Tiglieto became an abbey in commendam. In 1648 it was turned into a family estate of the last commendatory abbot, Cardinal Raggio, and dissolved. In 1747 the area was occupied by the Austrians, who shortly afterwards were driven out by the Genoese. In 2000 Tiglieto was reoccupied by the Cistercians.

The church is a primitive Romanesque brick basilica; the original side-chapels were removed in the 14th century to make way for a new east end. The nave was vaulted in the Baroque period, and a new choir at the west end was added at the same time, as was a Baroque campanile.

The conventual buildings are to the south of the church. The early Gothic chapter house in the east range has survived, with a square chapter room with nine bays from the early 13th century and symmetrical triforium windows looking onto the central courtyard and the site of the cloister, no longer extant, with the dormitory with bricked-up windows in the upper storey, as have the sacristy, the Fraternei and to the south the refectory building, as well as the lay brothers' block in the west, now converted for residential purposes.

The entire precinct was renovated for the new community that took over the premises in 2000.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Alberta Canapa (6 months ago)
Stunning place. 900 years of history, the first Cistercian abbey in Italy. A beautiful ring in the middle of the surrounding woods

Campanaro Ligure (6 months ago)
Good Place

Rita Lacky (7 months ago)
A must visit, unexpected place .. It is perfectly restored. Unfortunately it was closed. There are times to visit it internally with a guide.

Michael Pizzorno (7 months ago)
Nice place back after a long time from my first trip of elementary school ... I recommend the small ring route that can be done .. Do not be afraid if you find yourself on the way through the houses in the woods the path allows it .... Medium difficulty route about an hour and a half for a total of about 9km ... shame about those 200m that stops and you have to go through the state road but otherwise beautiful.

Gabriella Pizzala (7 months ago)
Place of peace and beauty, in an intact natural context. The public-private commitment that allowed the recovery of the abbey, which was in a deplorable state until a few years ago, is commendable. A small refreshment point for visitors and the opportunity to freely visit the interior (currently by reservation only) would be desirable.

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