Abbey of Santa Maria di Rovenyano - Cistercian monastery complex in Milan. The area, spread around the abbey was once an independent commune under the name of Chiaravalle Milanese. Now he is a part of Milan called the district Chiaravalle.

The abbey was founded in 1135 and became one of the first examples of Gothic architecture in Italy, although it can be seen, and some traces of late Romanesque style. Originally the abbey was a few temporary buildings and the construction of a permanent church began only in the mid-12th century. Work continued into the 13th century, when the south of the church was built the first cloister, and in the 14th, when sredokrestiem church was crowned with a tower and a refectory was built. In 1412 near the south transept it was erected a small chapel, now used as a sacristy. And in 1490, Cardinal Ascanio Sforza commissioned architects Bramante and Giovanni Antonio Amadeo build a great cloister Kiostro Grande and the chapter house.

In the Renaissance, many artists and creators have worked on the decoration of the abbey, in particular to this period are the work of Bernardo Luini. In the 17th century, painted on the walls of the church worked brothers Giovanni Battista and Giovanni Mauro della Rovere - its frescoes have survived.

When in 1798 the Cisalpine Republic was created by Napoleon, the monastery was partly destroyed. Preserved church, a small part of the cloister, the refectory and some other buildings. And in 1861, it was destroyed and Bramante cloister - is needed for the construction of the railway Milan - Pavia - Genoa.

Up until 1894 the abbey of Santa Maria di Rovenyano remained privately owned, and only in 1952 it was returned to the Order of Cistercians. In the years 1970-72 were restored frescoes of the dome, the remaining restoration work lasted from 2004.

The facade of the church, unfortunately, has not retained its original appearance - a restored early 20th century. But if you look closely, you can find elements of the architecture of the 17th century, which at one time replaced the original, 13th century. Noteworthy is the main entrance, dating from the early 16th century. Inside worth seeing rich Baroque frescoes, which generally is not characteristic of Cistercian architecture.