From the Abbey of Chiaravalle M.se to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Calvenzano

The second stage of the Cammino dei Monaci (Monks' Path) runs along the route of the Vettabbia, in the direction of Melegnano and Vizzolo Predabissi.

The route, mostly on a mixed-use road, with some stretches of bicycle/pedestrian path, leads, after passing through the village of Chiaravalle and the industrial area of Sesto Ulteriano, to Civesio. From here, a short walk through the fields leads to Viboldone Abbey.

This one, founded by the Humiliati in the 12th century and now animated by a community of Benedictine women, preserves, in its simple and rigorous architecture, a rich frescoed decoration from the second half of the 14th century, attributed to Giusto de' Menabuoi and Michelino da Besozzo.

The next stop is in Mezzano, with the Ossuary dedicated to the Battle of the Giants and the small church of Santa Maria della Neve, then Pedriano and, finally, the center of Melegnano. The town has ancient origins-it is mentioned, in 333 A.D., by the Itinerarium Burdigalense because it is located at the ninth mile from Milan-and is situated on high ground near the Lambro River.

The Mediceo castle is the architecture that strongly characterizes Melegnano: founded by Matteo I Visconti, it passed to the Brivio family in 1513, but was ceded to Gian Giacomo Medici known as the Medeghino in 1532, to whom we owe the rich interior decoration that celebrates its splendor.

The minor basilica of St. John the Baptist is another small jewel of Melegnano: the earliest date for its presence is 1398, and inside it preserves part of the altarpiece whose execution, in 1506, was entrusted to Bergognone.

Crossing Via Emilia, toward S.P.138 Pandina, we go to admire the basilica of Santa Maria in Calvenzano, completed in the late 11th century by Cluniac monks. Fascinating for its architecture, the stone portal at the entrance and the 14th-century apse frescoes (with the Coronation of the Virgin), it is also remembered because chronicles tell that the philosopher Boethius was killed here.

STAGE 2 OF THE MONKS' WALK

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