The cloister columns feature 24 different designs, showcasing the transition from Romanesque to Gothic masonry.
The abbey's Madonna statue is traditionally attributed to the workshop of the German sculptor Henrich von Konstanz.
During the Napoleonic suppression of 1807, the monastery's vast library was largely dispersed, with many volumes ending up in municipal collections.
The abbey remains an active site under the governance of the Order of Servants of Mary.
Evidence of a pre-existing 11th-century church was discovered during archaeological excavations beneath the current choir.
The name 'Follina' is derived from the 'fulling' process (follatura) of wool, an industry historically supported by the abbey's hydraulic mastery of the local stream.
The Cistercian Abbey of Saint Mary of Follina is a 12th-century Romanesque and Gothic complex situated in the foothills of the Treviso Prealps. The site features a distinctive 13th-century cloister, characterized by varied column designs and capitals influenced by Venetian and Byzantine styles. The church houses a rare 15th-century polychrome wooden statue of the Madonna del Sacro Calice. Originally inhabited by Benedictine monks, the abbey was transferred to the Cistercians in 1146. It serves as a significant example of religious architecture in the Veneto region, retaining its medieval structural integrity despite historical suppressions. The monastic complex includes an altar made of polychrome marble and significant 16th-century frescoes within the nave. It remains a functional religious site, continuing to attract both pilgrims and art historians.
The center of the cloister garden, looking up at the arcades and the bell tower.
Visit the small internal museum to see liturgical artifacts not displayed in the main nave.
Walk the perimeter of the cloister slowly to appreciate the individual details of each unique column capital.
Explore the surrounding village of Follina, which is recognized as one of the 'Borghi più belli d'Italia'.
Do not overlook the detail work in the cloister by focusing only on the main altar area.
Shoulders and knees must be covered; maintain silence inside the church; avoid photography during active services.
