Morimondo
Exploring the Morimondo Abbey
Have you ever been to the Morimondo Abbey? It is an abbey of the Cistercian Order, located a few kilometers from Milan, in the town of Morimondo. This place of worship is considered a true architectural gem and is worth visiting, even just to admire its structure.
The structure of the abbey
The church
The church of the Morimondo Abbey is an example of evolved Cistercian architecture towards Gothic style. Built in 1182, compared to the previous Cistercian abbeys, it stands out for the use of the ogival cross vault, which creates rectangular bays. In addition, the size of the church is due to the presence of eight bays, unlike the previous abbey churches, which were generally smaller. Despite the modifications undergone during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the church still maintains the style and order of the twelfth century.
The cloister
The cloister of the abbey is characterized by the presence of sandstone columns, topped by capitals decorated with motifs inspired by the plant world. Despite the various modifications made over time, such as the construction of the three porticoes around 1475 and the elevation of the north and west sides towards the middle of the eighteenth century, the cloister still preserves the typology of the monastic complex.
The monastery
The abbey stands out from other Cistercian abbeys for its construction on multiple levels, due to its location on a depression. The dormitory floor is raised to +4.90 meters compared to the cloister (altitude +0.00), while the monks' working room is located at -4.60 meters and the Founders' Hall at -8.80 meters. Despite looting, earthquakes, seventeenth-century modifications, and the suppression that occurred in 1798, the monument has been restored and museumized.
The Scriptorium Hall
The Scriptorium Hall is an exception in the Cistercian world as it is entirely decorated with polychrome lime paintings depicting plant elements with classicizing scrolls. Even the ancient Armarium, known as casupole, is decorated with important elements of monastic everyday life.
If you have the opportunity to visit the Morimondo Abbey, do not miss the chance to admire these splendid examples of architecture and art.
Conclusions
The Morimondo Abbey is one of the treasures of Lombardy, and represents a unique travel experience for art and culture enthusiasts. This place of worship is a true symbol of the strength, beauty, and skill of twelfth-century artisans. The church, the cloister, the monastery, and the Scriptorium Hall represent a unique testimony to the history of Italy and Cistercian spirituality. If you have not yet had the opportunity to visit this abbey, I highly recommend that you do so, you will not regret it!
