The Abbey of San Galgano

The Abbey of San Galgano, located not far from <a href="https://sundayherald.comBooking.com-things-to-do-and-see/">Siena, is a true spectacle: seeing its silhouette appear among the cypress trees of the driveway in front of it is truly an unforgettable sight.

The amazement grows as one gets closer, realizing that the almost intact shape of the outer walls has no roof. The Cistercian abbey was built in 1218 using various materials such as travertine, especially for the exteriors, brick, and rough stone.

It was constructed with a Latin cross plan with three naves, measuring 72 meters in length and 21 meters in width. The apse, which ends with six single windows and a rose window, gives the entire building a wonderful sense of lightness and elegance.

The majesty of the abbey testifies to the strong following of the cult of San Galgano.

In the 14th century, it reached moments of great splendor thanks to the immunity and privileges it enjoyed from the emperors. The abbey was under the protection of emperors Henry VI, Otto IV, and Frederick II.

The great wealth achieved in the 1500s sparked strong controversies between the Republic of Siena and the Papacy. In 1506, Pope Julius II sent an interdict against Siena, which rebelled by ordering the priests to celebrate all liturgical functions regularly.

Following this brilliant period, a period of decline ensued that would reduce the Abbey of San Galgano to a mysterious abandoned ruin, albeit an imposing one.

The legend of San Galgano Galgano Guidotti, son of Guido and Dionisia, was born in 1148 in Chiusdino, a small village near Siena, not far from the Abbey**.**

During this medieval period, there was a succession of violence and gratuitous injustices, manifestations of apparent strength and vitality, which often aimed to extend one's own domains.

Like all other knights, in the prime of his youth, Galgano had an arrogant and authoritative character.

But as time passed, Galgano felt more and more that his life was meaningless, lacking any purpose.

He then decided to change his life and retired to the hill of Montesiepi, not far from Monticiano.

Galgano began to live in isolation and penance, desperately seeking God and the peace that the turbulent times denied him.

As a form of total renunciation of all violence, Galgano drove his sword into a rock that jutted out from the ground, intending to use it as a cross before which to pray.

This happened in the year 1180 and was a symbolic act of great strength for the times. Galgano died on December 3, 1181, leaning against his cross, and in 1185 he was proclaimed a Saint by Pope Lucius III.

This sword embedded in a rocky mass jutting out from the floor is located at the center of the Rotunda of Montesiepi, in a chapel just a few hundred meters from the Abbey of San Galgano.

Judging by the visible part sticking out of the rock, it seems to be an authentic 12th-century sword. This sword has undergone several adventures over time: it was broken by a vandal in 1960 and in 1991 it was shattered by a boy who, locked in the rotunda with some tourists, attempted to pull it out.

All these breakages have raised doubts about the sword's authenticity, rumors that were later disproven by the official inspection of the artifact in 2001.

Some scholars suggest there are similarities between the story of San Galgano and that of King Arthur since both events occurred in the 12th century, and additionally, there are notable similarities between Galgano and the name of one of Arthur's knights, Galahad.

What we know for sure is that there is this sword curiously embedded in a rock that echoes ancient and distant secrets that have never been revealed.

Summer, with its cool breezes and intense fragrances, is the perfect backdrop for the exciting concerts held at the Abbey. The evocative space of the Abbey comes alive with musical or theatrical comedies, operas, ballets, and concerts in collaboration with the Chigiana Musical Academy. By taking your seat among one of the 800 available spots in the venue, you can enjoy a beautiful outdoor show enhanced by a blanket of stars and an atmosphere from another time. Curiosity: The location of this fascinating abbey has been used as a stunning backdrop for the films Nostalghia by Andrej Tarkovsky and The English Patient by Anthony Minghella.

Near Siena.

From Florence: Take the expressway to Siena, exit towards State Road 223 Siena-Grosseto until the San Lorenzo a Merse exit, and then continue towards Monticiano. Also from Florence, you can exit at "Siena-San Marco" and take SP 73 which goes through the Sienese hills. From Rome, the recommended exit is Sinalunga on the A1, then the expressway to Siena and finally the San Marco exit.

NOVEMBER - MARCH from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM; APRIL, MAY, and OCTOBER from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; JUNE and SEPTEMBER from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM; JULY and AUGUST from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. In case of weddings or other events, opening hours may vary (for information call 0577/756738).

3 euros

We are in a wonderful territory, one of the most beautiful in the world. The choice of what to visit is truly vast: just a few kilometers by car there are Siena, Monteriggioni, Bagno Vignoni, San Gimignano, Montalcino, Montepulciano and other locations you can find on the page Around Siena.