The abbey of Morimondo stands in a strategic position on a hill overlooking the plain below and was built between the 12th and 13th century and it is with the Chiaravalle abbey one of the earliest example of Cistercian architecture in Lombardy.

At present it is being carefully restored and it was during this work that previously unknown walled structures came to light in the western piazza, used as a courtyard and car-park, adjacent to the town hall.

In May 2008 excavation was undertaken over an area of circa 200 m2 in order to ascertain the nature and state of conservation of the structures. After accurate cleaning it was clear that these were in effect standing walls preserved to a height of over 2 m. These had enclosed open spaces which remained thus until the construction of the large scale terracing which is still present.

A survey and the analysis of the relationships between these walls provided data regarding the spatial organisation of the zone outside the western part of the abbey. It was also possible to reconstruct the original profile of the steep slope of the hill on which the abbey stands. A defensive wall and a floor surface of crushed brick, which follows the hill slope, probably marked the lay brothers’ route to the church up to where they had their own entrance.