Follina: The Abbey of Santa Maria in the Prosecco Hills
Follina is a small town in the north of the Prosecco hills, known for the Abbey of Santa Maria. The abbey became Cistercian in the mid-12th century; its cloister carries an inscription dated 1268, and the Gothic church was built in 1305–1335. It's a one-hour stop, best combined with the Prosecco Road or nearby Rolle.
- Time needed1 hour
- MapOpen in Google Maps
What it is
Follina is a small town at the northern edge of the Prosecco hills. It’s one of the 15 DOCG communes and part of the UNESCO core zone. People come for the Abbazia di Santa Maria, a Cistercian abbey with a 13th-century cloister.
What to see
All facts below come from the abbey’s Italian Wikipedia entry.
- The cloister: the highlight. An inscription dates it to 1268 and names the abbot, Tarino, and the builders.
- The church: Gothic Cistercian, built 1305–1335.
- The Madonna del Sacro Calice: a sandstone statue in a neo-Gothic frame from 1921, still an object of pilgrimage.
- The abbey began as Benedictine and became Cistercian around the mid-12th century. The Servi di Maria order has been there since 1915.
How to get there
Follina is north of the main Conegliano–Valdobbiadene road. By car it’s an easy detour from the Prosecco Road. MOM bus 121 links Vittorio Veneto, Follina, Miane and Valdobbiadene.
Nearby: Rolle, the tiny vineyard hamlet in Cison di Valmarino that the poet Andrea Zanzotto called a “postcard sent by the gods”.
Time needed
About an hour for the abbey and cloister. Pair it with Rolle and a winery visit for a half-day loop.
Tours that include Follina
Ride
Prosecco Hills Vespa & Picnic Experience in Veneto
Vespa rental with a personalized vineyard route map, then a private vineyard picnic with local products and 1 bottle of Prosecco Superiore DOCG per 2 people; no guide.
From €125on GetYourGuide →
Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 23 September 2026; they change, so check the live page. We earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. How this works.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Follina Abbey?
The abbey was first Benedictine and became Cistercian around the middle of the 12th century (the traditional date, 1146, isn't documented). The cloister has an inscription dated 1268, and the church was built between 1305 and 1335 (Wikipedia, Italian)).
Is Follina in the Prosecco area?
Yes. Follina is one of the 15 communes of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, and it's in the core zone of the UNESCO World Heritage site (UNESCO site management).
What are the abbey's opening hours?
We couldn't confirm them from an official source. The Servi di Maria order has been at the abbey since 1915 and the church holds services, so check locally before a special trip.