Abbey of Sant'Albino

Mortara, Italy

The Abbey of Sant'Albino is a church-monastery complex, founded in the 5th century in Mortara.  In 774 the abbot Alkwin Albin added a canonical college to the church, which had become a stopping place for pilgrims traveling south to Rome.

The church of Sant'Eusebio had putatively been founded by Charlemagne to bury the soldiers of his army who died locally in a battle on October 12, 773. Among the casualties there were also two paladins of Charlemagne's, Amelius of Alvernia and Amicus from Beyre.

The church has been refurbished over the centuries, and the architecture is eclectic, mingling the original Romanesque style, clearly recognizable in the hemicircular apse, with the Renaissance style, to be found in the facade and in the nave.

Against the southern side of the portico of the facade, is a building, perhaps a part of the ancient monastery. Beside the church, there are the ruins of the cloister, a brick open gallery with wooden architraves and with a 14th-century Gothic window decorated with rural motives. In the interior, on the right wall, are three frescoes (1410) painted by Giovanni da Milano depicting St Anthony Abbott, the Baptism of Jesus, and an Enthroned Virgin with Donor and Saints Albin, Jacob, and Augustine. Another fresco, by an unknown 15th-century painter depicts St Laurentius with the symbol of his martyrdom in his hand. Next to this fresco are graffiti carved in the bricks by the pilgrims over the ages: the most ancient is from the year 1100. Another anonymous fresco is on the left part of the presbytery and represents Virgin with Child and Saints.

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Details

Founded: 5th century AD
Category: Religious sites in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Darryl Bennett (2 years ago)
Long walk from town but simple nice food nice people
Kevin John (4 years ago)
A very beautiful Church and well attended mass. Even with three morning services. A happy cohesive, calm atmosphere. The priest gave a heartfelt sermon, it felt as much, not speaking Italian! A very talented choir that was strangely hidden behind the alter and sung very joyfully with zest and gusto. The parishioners were mostly unmoved though. Perhaps if they were allowed a visible presence in the Church then the congregation would engage automatically ?
Roberto Sorini (4 years ago)
Great Pilgrim's meal and breakfast min 20 euros with Pilgrim's credential required including the stay but i added 5 because it was all worth it i was lucky and was alone in 10,*9 meter room bring your own light bed camping slik sheet... they have pillows mattress with wooden supports and woolen blankets for the night. Nice hot big shower 2 bathrooms and hot water for hand washing clothes and garden for drying then an indoor room for night drying of clothes... call a day ahead for covid reasons to reserve a bed
Stacy Daigh (6 years ago)
Clean and friendly stop along the via Francigena. Pilgrims dinner available and cots for beds. Shower and bathrooms were clean.
Ciaran campbell (7 years ago)
Great place and a great host!
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