History

In 1962 the community of Vitorchiano was preoccupied with making a foundation, and the community of Tre Fontane accepted the paternity. At first the choice was a site at Afi, diocese of Verona, but later this was abandoned when a more suitable property was found, in Tuscany, diocese of Volterra, in the parish and commune of Guardistallo. It was bought in 1966 and on 3 December 1966, the Sacred Congregation for Religious authorized making a foundation and gave to the ordinary the faculty to erect it canonically, once the requisite conditions were fulfilled.
In the beginning of May 1967, some nuns moved into a “Casa colonica” situated on the property, and at the beginning of July work on the construction of the monastery started. On 2 February 1968, a group of 22 nuns moved into the part of the monastery already finished, and the regular life began.

In 1969 construction recommenced and the cloister, the guesthouse and finally the church were built. The church was inaugurated on 19 March 1970 by a first Mass, followed by solemn blessing on 15 August 1970 by the abbot general.
The cemetery was also inaugurated, by the sudden death of a young nun, Sr Paola.
The monastery took the name Valserena, the name of an ancient Cistercian monastery, situated on the outskirts of Parme, whose church still exists. It is 30 km from Livourne.

Since 2004 the community of Valserena has collaborated with the monastery of Cortona (O.Cist.) to assure the survival and development of the latter.  This new type of collaboration between two communities belonging to two Orders has made a “covenant of assistance” analyzed and approved by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life.