Abbey of Chiaravalle della Colomba

The Abbey of Chiaravalle della Colomba (Italian: Abbazia di Chiaravalle della Colomba) is a 12th-century Cistercian monastic complex near the town of Alseno, in the Province of Piacenza, Region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

The founding documents for the Abbey date to 11 April 1136, when Arduino, the bishop of Piacenza, granted the monastery its lands.

But more likely the title Santa Maria della Colomba derives from the pigeon used to symbolize the annunciation of Mary's pregnancy.

The monastery was sacked and burned in 1248 by Frederick II of Swabia during his siege of Parma.

The square 13th-century cloister has a proliferation of arched openings, flanked by rose marble paired columns.