Sito Ufficiale Hotel Della Commenda

Just a few minutes off the "Via Emilia", between Fiorenzuola d'Arda and Alseno, immersed in the countryside and positioned in a precise checkerboard of green allotments according to ancient land partitioning methods, a red blur can be seen: Chiaravalle della Colomba Abbey. The Basilica and cloister are a masterpiece of brickwork and Cistercian Art, a speciality of the Friars of the Saint Bernardino order. These were the heirs and followers of the Benedictine revolution. It was the year 1136 and here alongside the roman "Via Emilia" ran the "Via Francigena" the route which needed to be followed in order to reach Rome.

The word "Colomba" means "Dove" in Italian and an ancient legend tells the story of a dove outlining the perimeter of the abbey on the ground by gathering twigs and pieces of wood. The abbey then was constructed within this mythical outline.

Just in front of the abbey one can find the Palazzo della Commenda. This stately home built in the 13th century was the residence of the COMMENDATORE, who was the Abbot, administrator in charge of the

abbey's wealth and belongings. We would like to point out that the commendatory system was introduced during the 13th century and meant that for the Cistercian order, the Pope or lay authorities, could nominate who they wished to administrate the abbeys even if these did not appertain to the order. In the majority of cases this meant that whoever was in charge usually took advantage of the monastic wealth.

The restoration of the premises were completed in the year 2000, strictly using materials used in that period in history and The Palazzo della Commenda has been successfully transformed into a Hotel, Restaurant and Convention centre with a 4 star classification. In the centre of the complex itself, an ancient rustic court yard can be found and a large patio has been created, divided by 4 flower beds and to one side you can also find the tourist information centre.

The Hotel and Restaurant "PALAZZO DELLA COMMENDA" is run by the Villazzi family, who are also the proprietors of the "Le Ruote" Hotel (www.hotelleruote.it), which is a modern 4 star business complex on the Via Emilia, near to major motorway junctions. The Villazzi Family, today is composed by Giovanni, Lorena and Massimiliano and has been operating in the hospitality sector for over a century.