Piona Abbey

Piona Abbey stands at the tip of the Olgiasca peninsula on Lake Como, on the Lecco side, in the municipality of Colico. The site goes back to a church of St Justina from the 7th century, of which remains of the apse survive behind the present church of San Nicola. The priory later belonged to the network of the Cluniac reform movement. The Cistercians took over the complex in 1938.

The single-nave church measures about 20 by 8 m and is essentially the result of a 12th-century rebuilding; the present bell tower dates from the 18th century. The cloister has an irregular four-sided plan with round arches and columns whose capitals vary widely in design. As this is a monastery, please be considerate during your visit.

A partly cobbled side road branches off the SP 72 about 3 km south of Colico and leads to the abbey after roughly 2 km. Lonely Planet singles out the irregular 13th-century cloister, a transitional style between Romanesque and Gothic; medieval frescoes complete the visit. A small shop sells honey and liqueurs made by the abbey (as of October 2026). From the peninsula the view extends across the lake towards Gravedona.