Piona Abbey

A peaceful retreat for the mind in Upper Lake Como

Situated on a peninsula stretching into the calm waters of Lake Como, creating a bay of brilliant greens, Piona Abbey offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of Upper Lake Como and the western shore of the Lario.

The history of Piona dates back to 610 AD, when an oratory dedicated to Saint Justina was founded on the peninsula. It was consecrated in 1138 alongside the remains of another Romanesque building, of which only the apse remains. In the 1960s, it was elevated to the status of an abbey. The trussed nave features marble lions and frescoes from the 12th and 13th centuries; to the side, one enters the evocative cloister (1252–57), surrounded by elegant columns and decorated with paintings from various periods, including a rare calendar.

Piona Abbey possesses a mysterious charm, perhaps due to the rustling of the wind through the cloisters of this monastery. Walking among the walls and gardens, still cultivated by the monks who live in this wonderful place, you can admire a breathtaking panorama while breathing in an atmosphere of calm and peace, ideal for soothing restless souls.

A place of legends and stories: it is said that a knight from the Crusades, fleeing from robbers and papal assassins while carrying precious loot—perhaps even the Holy Grail—stopped near Upper Lake Como. He sought protection in a small abbey of friendly monks, who offered hospitality and excellent liqueurs. A few days later, he resumed his journey, climbing the slopes of a great mountain whose base was bathed in the calm waters of Lake Como. Here, in a valley of chestnut trees and streams, he hid his precious treasure. A children's tale set between Lake Como, Mount Legnone, and Piona Abbey, yet one that speaks of the wild beauty of a region that still preserves its authentic soul.

What is certain, however, is the mastery of the monks of Piona: to this day, they cultivate herbs, aromatics, and plants to create herbal remedies and liqueurs, strictly following their ancient recipes and traditions.