Abbey of Sant'Albino

The abbey of S. Albino, at the gates of Mortara, developed around the battlefield where, in 773AD, the Franks of Charlemagne defeated the Lombard king Desiderio and his army. The bodies of the Frankish soldiers who fell in battle were buried on the spot and a religious structure dedicated to prayer and meditation began to grow round about.

The abbey of S. Albino was also located on the route of the Via Francigena, crossed by travellers in the direction of Rome: pilgrims from all over Europe stopped here, and in particular devotees of French origin, who paid tribute to Charlemagne and his victorious army.

According to tradition, the monk who built the abbey after the battle of Mortara was English. His name was Albin Alkwin and that's why, after his death, the convent was named after the homonymous patron saint, S. Albino.