Piona Abbey
Encyclopedia
The architectural complex which makes up Piona Priory, generally known as Piona Abbey, is located on the Lecco
bank of Lake Como
in the territory of the municipality of Colico
.
The abbey is set in a landscape of exceptional and moving beauty, at the top of a small peninsula
, the Olgiasca, which – like a crooked finger – points into the lake, creating an inlet which adds to its charm. It is a still unspoilt and shady environment which reminds of a time past, a time of prayer and meditation, but also of fear and struggles in which opposite factions fought for an always short-lived power.
, with its monastery complex, which was part of the political-religious network which was led by Cluny
and its reform movement.
The location, although away from the main town, was on a military route of critical importance in the wars of the times, which importance has continued into modern times and for the ownership of which local, royal and imperial armies fought one another.
Lecco
Lecco is a town of c. 47,760 inhabitants in Lombardy, northern Italy, north of Milan, the capital of the province of Lecco. It lies at the end of the south-eastern branch of Lake Como...
bank of Lake Como
Lake Como
Lake Como is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy. It has an area of 146 km², making it the third largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore...
in the territory of the municipality of Colico
Colico
Colico is a comune in the province of Lecco, Lombardy, Italy. It is situated near the tip of the northern arm of Lake Como, where the river Adda enters the lake...
.
The abbey is set in a landscape of exceptional and moving beauty, at the top of a small peninsula
Peninsula
A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....
, the Olgiasca, which – like a crooked finger – points into the lake, creating an inlet which adds to its charm. It is a still unspoilt and shady environment which reminds of a time past, a time of prayer and meditation, but also of fear and struggles in which opposite factions fought for an always short-lived power.
The scenery
It was during the early Middle Ages that in which the original church of Saint Justina was founded, which was followed - some centuries afterwards - by the proper prioryPriory
A priory is a house of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or religious sisters , or monasteries of monks or nuns .The Benedictines and their offshoots , the Premonstratensians, and the...
, with its monastery complex, which was part of the political-religious network which was led by Cluny
Cluny
Cluny or Clungy is a commune in the Saône-et-Loire department in the region of Bourgogne in eastern France. It is 20 km northwest of Mâcon.The town grew up around the Benedictine Cluny Abbey, founded by Duke William I of Aquitaine in 910...
and its reform movement.
The location, although away from the main town, was on a military route of critical importance in the wars of the times, which importance has continued into modern times and for the ownership of which local, royal and imperial armies fought one another.