Founded in 1490, the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Maria Assunta above Claro is the oldest monastery in Ticino. It stands alone on a rocky outcrop above the village of Claro , covered with chestnut trees, nestled in a beautiful landscape and wrapped in a contemplative silence. The church, dedicated to the Madonna, dates back to 1300.
For the population of Claro, of the Riviera region and of Bellinzona, the bright spot of the monastery on the mountain is a presence of love, a tradition for the eye and for the heart. Visiting the Monastery, you can not only admire paintings and sculptures of rare beauty and learn more about the life of nuns, but also enjoy a wonderful view of the Riviera Valley and the entire Bellinzona region.
For five centuries, without interruption, the hardworking nuns have continued to live their spiritual life in the monastery according to the Rule of St. Benedict. In recent years, the monastic buildings have undergone a complete renovation that gave the new beauty and harmony to the building. The Monastery will delight lovers of art in all its forms. Inside you will find three neoclassical altars and murals of the late fifteenth century. Of particular interest is also the Pieta sculpture group in linden wood, painted and gilded, located in a side altar dating from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
