The Abbey of Santa Maria in Viano near the cemetery of Sgurgola dates back to the eleventh century and was part of a Cistercian monastery.
The ruins of the monastery can be seen by visiting the cemetery where also were found ossuaries of the monastery.
The church has a rectangular plan and is characterized by two areas: a vestibule or porch and a frescoed internal room.
In the lunette of the main door of the church is a restored medieval fresco in the Byzantine style representing Christ with a hand raised in blessing and the other holding a book.
The facade is made of stone and is asymmetric, with a mullioned window on the left and a single lancet window on the right, and ends with a bell tower with two bells.
In this monastery women were hosted from important families like Maria, the sister of Rinaldo of Supino, wife of Francesco Caetani, a great-nephew of Pope Boniface VIII, who was elected Cardinal.
Maria would eventually become Santa Maria in Cosmedin.
Mary gave two sons to her husband, and then she entered the convent when he was appointed cardinal.
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