Abbey of Chiaravalle

The Abbey of Santa Maria di Rovegnano, Chiaravalle Milanese (Latin: Sanctæ Mariæ Clarævallis Mediolanensis) is a Cistercian monastic complex in the comune of Milan, Lombardy, northern Italy. The that has developed round the abbey was once an independent commune called Chiaravalle Milanese, now included in Milan and referred to as the Chiaravalle district.

The abbey was founded on 22 January 1135 as a daughterhouse of Clairvaux; it is one of the first examples of Gothic architecture in Italy, although maintaining some late Romanesque influences.

In October 1134 Cistercian monks from Moiremont, near Dijon established themselves at Coronate, near Pieve di Abbiategrasso southwest of Milan, and founded the new Morimondo Abbey, whence the location was given, in 1171, the name of Morimondo. At the start of 1135 another group of Cistercians, coming from Clairvaux Abbey and headed by its first abbot and founder, Bernard of Clairvaux, reached Milan as guests of the Benedictines of Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, to support the cause of Pope Innocent II against Antipope Anacletus II. The papal dispute was resolved in favour of the former, thanks to the intervention of Bernard of Clairvaux. He decided to reclaim the marshy area south of Milan and found a new abbey there; he left a group of friars in the city with the task of collecting money for the construction.

After a series of temporary buildings had been constructed, the construction of the permanent church was begun around 1150–1160; it was consecrated on 2 May 1221. Works continued in the 13th century with the first cloister, south of the church, and, in the 14th century, the crossing tower and the refectory. In 1412 a small chapel was built next to the southern transept. Today it is used as the sacristy.

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