FINALPIA, ABBEY of S. MARIA. - In Liguria, founded by Marquis Biagio Galeotto del Cavretto in 1477, near the sanctuary that preserved the venerated ancient image of Maria Pia, painted on wood. From the outset it was entrusted to the Olivetan monks, who remained there, after the interval of the Napoleonic suppression (1799–1819), until 1843. At the request of King Carlo Alberto, it then passed to the Cassinese Congregation (1844). In 1855 it was affected by the new suppression, and only in 1903 could the community be re-established there.
The image, venerated by Popes Innocenzo IV, Paolo III, and Pio VII, by Emperor Carlo V, and by other sovereigns, was solemnly crowned in 1920; in the following year work was begun on the completion of the cloister, which was finished in 1922. In that same year the abbey assumed the direction of the Rivista Liturgica, which has rendered such distinguished service to the revival of these studies.
The only remnant of the ancient sanctuary is the twelfth-century bell tower. Some Robbian ceramics and the inlays of the sacristy cupboards are noteworthy.