Photo of Piona Abbey

Visit Piona Abbey

Piona Abbey is a catholic abbey on a peninsula on the north-east shore of Lake Como and a few kilometres from Olgiasca (in the area called Colico), in the Lombardy region of Italy.

Explore Piona abbey

Italy This Way review: the Abbey of Piona is in quite a remote location and outside the most visited area of Lake Como but is an interesting abbey in a picturesque location and a visit was one of the highlights of the lake.

Your first challenge is to find the abbey - the signposts were not easy to find. As you drive through the village, the road towards Piona abbey becomes cobbled and more narrow until you start to wonder if it is a good idea to drive along it.

Cloisters of the abbey at Piona

It is possible to park here in the centre of the village and walk to the abbey (about two kilometres), but the road is in reasonable condition all the way so driving is less of a challenge than you might guess when you see it...although it would also make a pleasant walk, so no problem whatever you decide...

The abbey is dominated by the church, which is in the roman style and was built in the early 12th century. An earlier church had stod here since the 7th century, but little remains of this earlier building except a part of the apse, behind the current church. The tower that dominates the outside of Piona abbey ws added in the 18th century.

 
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The inside of the abbey church is rather austere - a simple rectangle shape about 20 metres long and built of grey stone - but around the apse you can see charming medieval frescoes of the apostles.

Next to the church, the cloisters is surounded by roman style arches. As you walk around the cloisters you can see more fragments of medieval frescoes, in particular on the north wall. These are fascinating if you pause to take a close look: the most important shows an annual calendar with the important tasks that the monks need to carry out.

Around Piona abbey there are gardens, which are peaceful and nicely maintained, and include an olive grove and places with nice views across Lake Como as well as a small shrine area.

Frescoes in Piona abbey

Attractions nearby

The most visited villages around Lake Como are to the south of Piona abbey, near Varenna.

If you are exploring all around the lake see our Lake Como guide for all the principal destinations and attractions.

You can find more local travel ideas in the Lecco guide and the Lombardy guide.

See also: 

Photos of Piona Abbey

Click any picture to start the gallery

  • abbey-view
  • church-interior
  • church
  • cloisters (1)
  • cloisters (2)
  • frescoes
  • gardens (1)
  • gardens (2)
  • olive-trees
  • relief

Map of Piona Abbey and places to visit

 
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Piona Abbey places to visit

Domaso

Domaso

Domaso is a small harbour town on the north of Lake Como

Domaso guide
Gravedona

Gravedona

Gravedona, on northern Lake Como, is well placed to explore the surrounding mountains and practice water sports on the lake

Gravedona guide
Varenna

Varenna

Varenna is a pretty town on the shores of Lake Como, with attractive villas and gardens

Varenna guide
Menaggio

Menaggio

Menaggio, on the western shore of Lake Como, is a pretty town and well placed to explore the lake

Menaggio guide
Bellagio

Bellagio

The harbour village of Bellagio is a pretty village on Lake Como

Bellagio guide
Villa Carlotta

Villa Carlotta

Villa Carlotta is an 18th century villa on Lake Como, with extensive gardens to explore and an impressive art collection

Villa Carlotta guide

...or see all our recommended places to visit in Lombardy

 
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