The Cistercian Abbey of San Galgano is one of Tuscany’s most spectacular sights. This majestic thirteenth-century church, stripped of its roof, stands as a true icon of the region and is set within a magnificent natural landscape embodying everything Tuscany is renowned for worldwide: rolling hills, vineyards and rows of cypress trees.
In this bucolic panorama, part of the municipality of Chiusdino in the province of Siena, rises an unusual silhouette – that of San Galgano Abbey itself. Of the old church, only the walls and apse remain, creating a profile as haunting as it is captivating. It is precisely for this reason that, despite its rather isolated location, it attracts thousands of visitors each year.
As if that weren’t reason enough to visit, San Galgano Abbey also benefits from its proximity to the Montesiepi hermitage, reachable on foot via a footpath of no more than 15 minutes. This is a spiritually significant place that houses the sword in the stone, which, according to Christian tradition, was one of the miracles of San Galgano, who drove it into the rock for eternity. Today, over 800 years later, it remains visible.
The San Galgano site comprises not only the ruins of the Cistercian Abbey but also the Montesiepi hermitage, which houses the renowned sword in the stone.
Naturally, the main draw for visitors is the abbey itself. Built in the thirteenth century in the Gothic style and dedicated to the saint who was born in Chiusdino, today it lies in complete ruins: only the walls remain standing, with the apse still clearly visible, perfectly facing east, whilst above the façade there are two pointed arch windows.
The roof of San Galgano Abbey is no longer there. The “official” version suggests it deteriorated and collapsed over the centuries, whilst an alternative account—some call it legend, others claim it as fact—asserts it was originally made of lead and was sold by Girolamo Vitelli in 1550. Whatever the truth behind the abbey’s missing roof, after several unsuccessful restoration attempts, it was finally deconsecrated at the end of the eighteenth century and left exposed to the elements ever since.
The ruins of San Galgano Abbey, with their still-intact profile set amidst the Tuscan countryside, offer a truly extraordinary and distinctive spectacle. In addition to the roof, the floor is also missing; during the warmer months it transforms into a verdant carpet of grass. You can still make out a transept with three naves and four chapels featuring cross vaults. Adjacent to San Galgano Abbey stands the cloister, though this was reconstructed in the early twentieth century using original materials.
Equally impressive are several ancillary rooms, also accessible with your abbey admission ticket. These include the chapterhouse, where monks originally gathered to deliberate the community’s principal rules, and the scriptorium, where monks copied manuscripts.
From San Galgano Abbey, climbing an unpaved footpath that winds up the adjacent hillside, you’ll reach the Montesiepi hermitage in approximately 10 minutes. Actually older than the abbey, it was built at the end of the eleventh century on the site of the hut where San Galgano spent the final year of his life; consequently, it corresponds to the saint’s original burial place.
Consecrated in 1185 and also known as the Montesiepi Rotunda because it was originally constructed in a circular form, the hermitage comprises a small chapel adorned with frescoes by Lorenzetti, and a bell tower. Today, little remains of its original circular form, as the hermitage was subsequently “incorporated” into a larger structure dedicated to the veneration of San Galgano.
Christian tradition holds that the first of San Galgano’s 19 miracles was driving a sword into a stone, now preserved at the centre of the Montesiepi hermitage.
According to legends interwoven with historical accounts, Galgano Guidotti (the true name of the man who became San Galgano) was a knight who decided to retire as a hermit near Chiusdino, his birthplace. Upon arrival, he chose to plant his sword in the rock to use it as a cross.
It is nothing more than a stone with a sword embedded in it, recalling the Arthurian legend of Excalibur, yet the extensive media coverage of the sword in the stone has made it one of the most cherished attractions for those who make the journey here.
For many years, San Galgano’s sword in the stone was considered a forgery, but recent studies have demonstrated that the material is indeed from the period between 1100 and 1200.
Interesting fact
Decades ago, a tourist attempted to pull out the sword, breaking it at the hilt. Since then, the sword and stone have been protected by a glass case.
Visiting San Galgano Abbey is possible every day without advance booking. Tickets are purchased directly at the ticket office at the site entrance: discounts are available for those under 18, over 65, groups of 20 or more, and students with valid university ID. A family combination ticket is also available, allowing entry for 2 adults and 2 children at a reduced rate.
Additionally, admission to San Galgano Abbey is free for residents of Chiusdino municipality, children under 6, carers of disabled visitors, and tour guides.
The church is open every day of the year; it opens at 9 am, whilst closing times vary by month: November to March at 5:30 pm, April, May and October at 6 pm, June and September at 7 pm, July and August at 8 pm. Hours may vary in the case of weddings or other events. Last admission is 15 minutes before closing.
For further information or to plan your visit, you can call 0577-049312 or email abbaziasangalgano@gmail.com.
The Montesiepi hermitage is open daily from 9 am until dusk. Admission is free, and mass takes place every Sunday morning at 11:30 am. For information, call 0577-756700.
There are no official guided tours of San Galgano Abbey and the Montesiepi hermitage. However, there is nothing preventing you from being accompanied by a tour guide as you explore this magnificent site, which you can book in town or online. There are also guided tours departing from Florence or Siena that include a stop at the abbey – the ideal solution for those without a car who still wish to discover this Tuscan gem.
San Galgano Abbey sits along the San Galgano municipal road, within the municipality of Chiusdino. It is located in an isolated setting in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, and reaching it is never particularly convenient or straightforward, regardless of your starting point.
From Florence, for instance, it takes approximately an hour and a half: the total distance is 93 kilometres. Head south along the Florence-Siena expressway, exiting at the Colle Val d’Elsa Sud junction. From here, continue along the provincial road SP541, passing through the villages of Gracciano and Capannino della Suvera, reaching Montarrenti and its impressive castle. Here, turn onto SP73bis, which with its winding course leads directly to the site.
From the centre of Siena, it takes approximately 40 minutes, heading south-west and following signs for Costalpino, Ampugnano and Rosia. From here, take SP73bis to San Galgano.
From coastal Tuscan cities such as Pisa and Livorno, the distance is considerably greater at around 140 kilometres, though the journey is swift, taking approximately 2 hours. Much of the journey is along major roads such as the A12 motorway (drive it southbound all the way to Rosignano Marittimo toll barrier) and the SS1 Aurelia. Around Follonica, leave the Aurelia and head inland towards the Grosseto region, following regional road SR439 to Massa Marittima, then continuing along provincial road SP441 to your destination.
For those travelling by public transport, unfortunately there is bad news. San Galgano Abbey is not directly accessible: you must first reach Siena by bus or train, then proceed with local public transport. Bus 116, for example, departing from the Montluc stop, takes 47 minutes and stops at 30 stations before arriving at Case Piane, from where you must continue on foot (or by taxi, if you’re fortunate) for approximately an hour.
San Galgano Abbey is located in the municipality of Chiusino, in the south-western part of Siena province.
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