The Abbey of Chiaravalle, also known as the Abbey of Fiastra, is a Cistercian monastery located between the towns of Tolentino and Urbisaglia in the Italian region Marche. Surrounded by a large nature reserve, he is one of the best preserved Cistercian abbeys in Italy.

In 1142, the year of Guarnerio II, Duke of Spoleto and Marquis of Ancona, allocated Cistercian monastic order big plot of land between the rivers Chienti and Fiastra. In the same year, the monks arrived from Milan chiaravalle Abbey and began work on the construction of the monastery. They used materials from the ruins of nearby ancient city of Urbs Salvia, which was destroyed by Alarion in the 5th century. The monks began to drain the marshland, inhabited by wolves, bears and deer.

For three centuries the Abbey of Fiastra flourished. The monks shared their farmland with six plots of land which is actively farmed. Also, the monks participated in the economic, social and religious life of the region. The influence of the Abbey grew to the 15th century in his subordinate were 33 churches and monastery, and his story is recorded in 3194 manuscripts "Map Piastres", now preserved at Rome.

But in 1422, the year the Abbey of Fiastra been pillaged by soldiers of Braccio da Montone, who destroyed the Church roof and bell tower and killed a large number of monks. Followed by order of the Pope, it was the responsibility of the group of eight cardinals. In 1581, the year the Abbey was transferred to the Jesuits, after the abolition in 1773, the year the ownership has passed to the noble family of Bandini. The last representative of the family, Sigismondo, handed control of the Abbey Fund Giustiniani-Bandini, on whose initiative and was established a nature reserve for the protection of natural and cultural heritage of these places. In 1985, the year the historical value of the Abbey was recognized at the national level.

The Abbey Church bears the name of Santa Maria di Chiaravalle di Fiastra. Its impressive the building is designed in a transitional Romanesque-Gothic style, traditional Cistercian architecture. Inside it consists of three aisles and eight spans with Romanesque arches. Capitals of the columns were carved by the monks.

The monastery, which stands near the Church still functions as a Cistercian community. It is notable for its beautiful cloister, rebuilt in the 15th century, around which you can see secular refectory brothers, cells, of the Chapter house and grottoes.