• Religious Tourism
    • Art & Culture

Abbey of Chiaravalle

Where
Abbazia di Chiaravalle
Via Sant'Arialdo, 102, Milano
Contacts
+39 02 57403404
Official site
Infopoint
InfoPoint - Ufficio Turismo del Comune di Milano
Piazza Duomo, 14, Milano
+39 02 88455555

The Abbey of Chiaravalle is a Cistercian monastery officially founded on 22 January 1135 by a group of monks from the Abbey of Citeaux in France.

The Chiaravalle Abbey is one of the earliest examples of Gothic architecture in Italy, notwithstanding its Romanesque and late Romanesque elements. As soon as the Abbey was built, it became the cultural and social fulcrum of the village.

The complex can be accessed from a door built into a 16th-century tower in terracotta and marble that is 9 metres high; to the side there is a small oratory. The spacious and bright interior, with its imposing austerity, has three naves, divided by eight large pilasters, surrounded by a cylindrical wall. A 13th-century portal with panels made with raised carvings is positioned on the gabled façade. In many ways, the abbey continues to constitute the heart of the village of Chiaravalle even today, as it serves as the parish and the site of many different cultural, social, recreational and spiritual activities organised by the community of monks.

The complex of the Abbey is constituted by the abbey church, with cloisters and monastery, the chapel of San Bernardo and the mill. The only remaining traces of the original 13th-century cloister is the north side adjacent to the church and two bays. Above the door you can see a fresco of the Virgin and Child Enthroned honoured by the Cistercians, from the first half of the 16th century by Gaudenzio Ferrari .

The Chapel of San Bernardo is the small 15th-century building that is located to the left of the entrance tower of the Abbey of Chiaravalle, normally closed to the public. The nolare tower or Ciribiciaccola – a name taken from a popular nursery rhyme in Milanese dialect – rises up starting from the lantern, at a height of 9 metres, with two octagonal sections, which later assumes a conical shape. From here to the end of the cross, positioned on a world map, it reaches a height of 56.26 metres.

The nolare tower houses the oldest Ambrosian-mounted bell system that is still manually operated by the Cistercian monks.

In 2009, following a 10-year restoration project, the mill has resumed operation. The work not only restored the structure, it also reactivated the milling system, for both production and educational purposes.


Opening hours

Church and Cloister
Tuesday / Saturday: 9.00am - 12.00am and 3.00pm - 5.00pm

Take me here: Abbey of Chiaravalle

Places

Golf Club Le Rovedine

Le Rovedine in a green oasis near Milan with a one of the largest driving ranges in Europe for taking your first steps on the green.
  • Golf
Golf Club Le Rovedine, Noverasco di Opera (MI)
2.83 km

Prada Foundation

Chaired by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli, it is an institution dedicated to contemporary art and culture
  • Art & Culture
Prada Foundation, splendid museums
3.9 km

Porta romana

It was the Imperial gate and is the main gateway to Milan. From it started the road to the Ancient Rome
  • Art & Culture
Porta Romana
4.72 km

The Mysterious Baths

The dream of a memory, De Chirico’s legacy in a curious fountain, hidden in Parco Sempione
  • Lifestyle
The Mysterious Baths
4.76 km

Rotonda della Besana

If you want something unusual, visit the Rotonda di via Besana, a show of romantic and mysterious round shapes
  • Art & Culture
Rotonda della Besana - @Adobestock
5.36 km

Carcano Theater

Historic Milanese theater, it is still one of the largest halls in the city hosting prose, dance and music shows.
  • Art & Culture
Carcano Theater
5.45 km

The Guastalla Gardens

Today it is one of Milan’s most beautiful green areas, located near the Duomo
  • Active & Green
The Guastalla Gardens
5.76 km

Church of San Bernardino alle Ossa

  • Religious Tourism
Church of San Bernardino alle Ossa
5.85 km

The Red Oak of Porta Ticinese

There are two monuments that characterise Piazza XXIV Maggio, one architectural and one arboreal: Porta Ticinese and the big red oak.
  • Active & Green
The Red Oak of Porta Ticinese
5.89 km

Darsena di Milano

As well as being the city’s port, in the past the Darsena was also a highly important water junction.
  • Navigli
Darsena
5.91 km

Church of Sant'Eustorgio

Founded in the fourth century, the basilica was enriched with valuable Renaissance additions and the famous Portinari chapel was built
  • Religious Tourism
Church of Sant'Eustorgio
5.95 km

Museo Diocesano of Milan

Is located in the setting of the cloisters of Sant'Eustorgio, integral part of one of the most antique monumental complexes of Milan
  • Art & Culture
Museo Diocesano, Museums of Milan
5.98 km

Navigli District

  • Lifestyle
Navigli District
6.03 km

Naviglio Pavese

The Naviglio Pavese was a dream come true, the dream that had lasted five centuries of a direct link between Pavia and Milan.
  • Navigli
Naviglio_Pavese
6.23 km

San Lorenzo Basilica

Majestic, it is preceded by 16 Roman columns, with Corinthian capitals, which delimit one side of the late-antique portico
  • Religious Tourism
San Lorenzo Basilica
6.24 km

Royal Palace

Palazzo Reale is one of Milan’s most famous landmarks, the link between the city’s illustrious past and its innovative present.
  • Art & Culture
Royal Palace
6.24 km

Duomo Museum

With 26 rooms, the Museum covers an area of 2000 square meters including sculptures, paintings, tapestries, terracottas
  • Art & Culture
Duomo Museum, outstanding museums
6.26 km

Columns of San Lorenzo

A space in the city where time seems to have stopped: just beyond the Porta Ticinese, one of the most evocative views of Milan
  • Art & Culture
Colums of San Lorenzo
6.3 km

Museo del Novecento

A permanent collection of XXth century artwork inside Palazzo Arengario only a few steps away from the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery
  • Art & Culture
Museo del Novecento - Milano - @inLombardia
6.3 km

Teatro Nuovo

A few steps from the Duomo, a theater that captures the most important innovations in the panorama of national and international shows.
  • Art & Culture
Teatro Nuovo
6.3 km

Events

L'albero di Natale

Teatro comunale Fabrizio De Andrè
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
13/12/2024
  • Art & Culture
L'albero di Natale
6.84 km

Suggestioni tra musica ed immagini

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
22/12/2024
  • Art & Culture
Suggestioni tra musica ed immagini
6.84 km

Da Bach a Jannacci tutto è... jazz!

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
17/01/2025
  • Music and show
Da Bach a Jannacci tutto è... jazz!
6.84 km

Lydia tra le nazioni

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
27/01/2025
  • Art & Culture
Lydia tra le nazioni
6.84 km

Khorakandré

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
01/02/2025
  • Music and show
Khorakandré
6.84 km

Pigiama per sei

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
13/02/2025
  • Art & Culture
Pigiama per sei
6.84 km

L'assaggiatrice di Hitler

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
28/02/2025
  • Art & Culture
L'assaggiatrice di Hitler
6.84 km

Lucio Battisti tribute show

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
15/03/2025
  • Music and show
Lucio Battisti tribute show
6.84 km

Pignasecca e Pignaverde

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
21/03/2025
  • Art & Culture
Pignasecca e Pignaverde
6.84 km

Fiori d'acciaio

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 23826, Mandello del Lario, LC.
04/04/2025
  • Art & Culture
Fiori d'acciaio
6.84 km

Lo stato delle cose

Teatro De André
Piazza Leonardo Da Vinci, 23826, Mandello Del Lario (LC)
09/05/2025
  • Art & Culture
Lo stato delle cose
6.84 km

Activities

On the Navigli between courtyards and old-fashioned houses

  • Art & Culture
On the Navigli between courtyards and old-fashioned houses
5.94 km

Guided tour by boat on the Navigli of Milan

  • Art & Culture
Guided tour by boat on the Navigli of Milan
6.1 km

The Underground Milan – The hidden archaeological areas

  • Art & Culture
The Underground Milan – The hidden archaeological areas
6.15 km

The Rooftop of the Duomo

  • Art & Culture
The Rooftop of the Duomo
6.15 km

Longboard course for beginners

  • Active & Green
Longboard course for beginners
6.21 km

Fashion and Food in Milan

  • Food & Wine
Fashion and Food in Milan
6.26 km

Licensed tour, hiking and experiential Guides in Lombardia

  • Active & Green
Licensed tour, hiking and experiential Guides in Lombardia
6.31 km

Private Tour discover Milan Highlights

  • Art & Culture
Private Tour discover Milan Highlights
6.31 km

Guided tour of Classic Milan

  • Art & Culture
Guided tour of Classic Milan
6.39 km

The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, a tour to the masterpieces of Art

  • Art & Culture
The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana,  a tour to the masterpieces of Art
6.53 km

Guided tour of the Museum of La Scala, Milan

  • Art & Culture
Guided tour of the Museum of La Scala, Milan
6.69 km

Milan - Franciacorta

  • Golf
Milan - Franciacorta
6.86 km

Private walking tour Milan the city of fashion

  • Art & Culture
Private walking tour Milan the city of fashion
6.88 km

Guided tour of the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio

  • Art & Culture
Guided tour of the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio
7 km

San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, a very precious jewel

  • Art & Culture
San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, a very precious jewel
7.03 km

Golf, Relax and Wine in Lombardy

  • Golf
Golf, Relax and Wine in Lombardy
7.11 km

Leonardo da Vinci in Milan

  • Art & Culture
Leonardo da Vinci in Milan
7.19 km

On the vintage tram in Milan, in the 1920’s atmosphere

  • Art & Culture
On the vintage tram in Milan, in the 1920’s atmosphere
7.2 km

The heart of Milan

  • Art & Culture
The heart of Milan
7.23 km

Castello Sforzesco of Milan – The life at Court

  • Art & Culture
Castello Sforzesco of Milan – The life at Court
7.36 km

Where to sleep

Via San Bernardo N. 16/6 Sub 708

Milano
Via San Bernardo N. 16/6 Sub 708
251 mt

Hotel Borgo Nuovo

Milano
Hotel Borgo Nuovo
359 mt

SAN MARTINO HOUSE

Milano
SAN MARTINO HOUSE
538 mt

Allende 5 sub 16

SAN DONATO MILANESE
Allende 5 sub 16
1.26 km

Crowne Plaza Milan Linate

San Donato Milanese
Crowne Plaza Milan Linate
1.3 km

B&B Borgo Bagnolo

San Donato Milanese
B&B Borgo Bagnolo
1.4 km

GIOLA ROSSA10

San Donato Milanese
GIOLA ROSSA10
1.55 km

Appartamento 801

Milano
Appartamento 801
1.6 km

Appartamento 802

Milano
Appartamento 802
1.6 km

Appartamento 806

Milano
Appartamento 806
1.6 km

Appartamento 805

Milano
Appartamento 805
1.6 km

Appartamento 808

Milano
Appartamento 808
1.6 km

Appartamento 807

Milano
Appartamento 807
1.6 km

Appartamento 810

Milano
Appartamento 810
1.6 km

Appartamento 803

Milano
Appartamento 803
1.6 km

Appartamento 804

Milano
Appartamento 804
1.6 km

Appartamento 809

Milano
Appartamento 809
1.6 km

VIA ROGOREDO 113 sub. 6

MILANO
VIA ROGOREDO 113 sub. 6
1.62 km

APPARTAMENTO MARIGNANO

Milano
APPARTAMENTO MARIGNANO
1.65 km

ROGOREDO 65 SUB 727

MILANO
ROGOREDO 65 SUB 727
1.68 km