WHERE HISTORY MEETS LEGEND
San Galgano and the Sword in the Stone
Let’s be honest, Tuscany is a true Italian gem on all fronts, it really has it all: history, art, food, the sea and the mountains. Its charm attracts visitors from all over the world, and anyone who sees it for the first time falls hopelessly in love.
Today, we want to take you to a place where history and legend intertwine, a magical place still off the beaten tourist path.
The Abbey of San Galgano and the Sword in the Stone
You don’t need to go far to feel like you’ve been transported straight into the legend of Excalibur and King Arthur.
Just 30 kilometers from Siena, in the municipality of Chiusdino in the Val di Merse, you’ll find the magnificent Abbey of San Galgano, a grand Cistercian abbey in Gothic style dating back to the 13th century.
Just a few steps from the abbey, you’ll find the Rotonda di Montesiepi, where the famous Sword in the Stone is still preserved today.
According to legend, the knight Galgano Guidotti thrust the sword into the stone as a sign of his repentance for having led a noble life filled with temptations, pleasures, and wild amusements.
In fact, from a young age, San Galgano was destined to become a knight of war. But something divine led him to convert and embrace a life of prayer and meditation.
The story tells of two dreams in which Archangel Michael appeared to him, guiding him to withdraw as a hermit on the Hermitage of Montesiepi in 1181, where he remained until his death.
Contrary to what one might think, the Abbey was built much later than the Chapel, precisely in 1218, by the will of Bishop Ildebrando Pannocchieschi, who entrusted the monks with the construction of a true monastery dedicated to the saint.
After a period of prosperity, the Abbey experienced a severe decline, which forced the monks to abandon it, leading to its decay. Starting in 1503, the monastery was handed over to commendatory abbots, who had the lead roof completely removed and sold.
In 1786, lightning struck the bell tower, destroying it.
Today, several restoration works have been carried out on the structure to make it accessible to visitors.
Finally, please note that entry to the Abbey is subject to a fee: the ticket costs €4. A reduced rate is available for youth between 6 and 18, seniors over 65, groups of at least 20 people, families with at least 4 members, and university students. Children under 6 enter for free.
Admission to the Rotonda of Montesiepi, where you can see the Sword in the Stone, is free of charge.
At the entrance to the chapel, you’ll also find a small shop where you can buy organic products from the San Galgano Farm.
Borgo Grondaie Siena is located just 30 km from the Abbey of San Galgano, and the road to reach it is full of history, charming villages, and castles. We’ll be happy to guide you step by step on your visit to this majestic site.
To find the best deal for your stay, visit our website: www.hotelsienaborgogrondaie.com
The Abbey of San Galgano, the Sword in the Stone, and the many wonders of the Val di Merse are waiting for you.
