The construction of the hermitage was initiated by St. Albert himself. He was probably born in the Malaspina family, but chose a life of solitude in the nearby valley of the Borrione, in 1030, where a small chapel dedicated to him still exists. After he had miraculously healed one of the sons of the Marquis of Casasco, as a sign of gratitude, the Marquis built a Romanesque church dedicated to the Holy Mother, for St. Albert and his hermit followers to be able to celebrate the divine service. The hermits established a community and built a monastery of which one wing still remains: the so-called little cloister (chiostrino), with a well. St. Albert was elected head of the community. He was the abbot until his death, in 1073. Meanwhile, the hermitage, under the direct rule of the Pope, became a powerful spiritual and secular centre. The monastery included many cells and its detached facilities were spread throughout the territory currently covered by the provinces of Piacenza, Pavia, Alessandria and Genoa.