Abbazia di San Donato de Ierna

The ancient monastery of San Donato is located in the municipality of Piegaro and takes its name from the Jerna stream that flows nearby. The foundation of the Abbey is not certain, but it is assumed that it can be dated around the 11th - 12th century. The Camaldolese monks, as well as other religious orders, founded numerous monasteries and convents immediately after the year 1000 and without other information it is likely that the one of San Donato also responds to the need for spiritual renewal. There is no information on the life inside the abbey other than the confirmation and renewals by the highest medieval authorities of the dependence of the structure on the bishop of Perugia. In fact it is known for sure that it was subject to the jurisdiction of the bishop of Perugia since 1136, as evidenced by a bull of Innocent II dated Pisa 13 December of that year addressed to the bishop of Perugia, Rodolfo degli Armanni de Staffa, the abbey , Camaldolese, is known in ancient papers also with the uncertain name of San Donato de Gena, Gerla, Gerua. In a certificate of confirmation of Frederick Barbarossa's assets of 1163, it is mentioned as “abbatia de Gerne“. Mentioned in 1206 by Innocenzo III and in 1338 by Ludovico il Bavaro as still subject to the diocese of Perugia, towards the middle of the fourteenth century it was abandoned by the monks, becoming dependent on the church of Santa Mustiola di Chiusi. In fact, in a census of 1370 it no longer appears among the properties of the diocese of Perugia. In 1471 it was suppressed, reduced to a secular commenda and joined to the abbey of San Giovanni di Monte Erile from which the parish belonged "de jure". In the report that followed the visit, dating back to 1572, to San Donato di Ierna by the apostolic representative Della Rovere, the order to build the baptismal font at one's own expense is reported; this however was not carried out until 1817 at the expense of the parishioners. In 1600 the bishop of Perugia, Napoleone Comitoli, erected the parish in perpetual vicariate. External Few traces remain of the monastic complex; today the rooms annexed to the church are colonial residences. The parish church, on the other hand, with the title of San Donato, was extensively renovated in the 19th century and is in fair condition. The facade was made of a curtain of ashlars. The exterior of the church is completed by a square bell tower. It was built using stone and bricks. Internal The interior, with a single nave and barrel vault, is adorned with three rich altars, each of which is surmounted by a large oil canvas from the late 17th century. The high altar canvas depicts Jesus on the cross between the sorrowful Magdalene and St. Donato; the altar on the right depicts the Madonna del Carmine, with Saint Joseph and a Franciscan saint on either side; on the left altar is the Virgin and Child between St. Peter and St. John the Baptist. On the sides of the main altar there are two doors: the right one leads into the sacristy, the left one into a small room with frescoed walls, where the baptismal font is located.

As of February 20, 2022, as the sign posted on the door states, the abbey of Ierna is open for mass at 9.30 on the second and fourth Sunday of the month.