San Giuliano Milanese, Viboldone Abbey

The Abbey of Viboldone was initiated in 1176 (12th century), by the Humble fathers upon the dawning of the order, and terminated in 1348. The first Italian abbey of this order of monks who dedicated especially to the working of wool, today it hosts a printing office and laboratory for the restoration of antique books. The church, restored, is the only remnant of the ancient compound.
In the gabled façade, a mixture of Romanesque and Lombard Gothic characteristics is evident with the use of bricks and tiles, the division in three of the cylindrical pilaster strips, and the open single- and double lancet windows. In the interior remarkable remains are found of the frescoesthat once decorated most of it. In the last span on the farther wall Madonna in trono e santi (Mary on the Throne with Saints), masterpiece of an unknown Florentine master, disciple of Giotto.