I am sure you all know the story of the sword in the stone, made especially famous by he Walt Disney’s production. This story is a little different, as there is no king-to-be character, just a knight that decided he no longer wanted anything to do with violence and war.
If you travel towards the Tuscany coast from Siena following the old road, you will encounter the San Galgano abbey. It is a spectacular sight to see from a distance with the Gothic cathedral swaying towards the sky. When you get close to it, you realize that it does not have a roof, and the once marble covered floors are now a green lawn where in past centuries sheep used to graze.
How could this happen? In the middle ages the powerful Sienese Republic used to store all its wealth by the monks at the San Galgano abbey. When the republic lost its power in favor of Florence, the wealth faded away, and with it the monastery around the abbey. The latter eventually got abandoned until one stormy night the roof, left unattended for centuries, came crushing down. It was the 16th century, and the pillaging and robberies had already depleted the entire church of all its artworks, embellishments, choir, and even the marble floors. In order to save it from total destruction, in the 19th century preservation works were carried out to consolidate the structure, which has arrived to these days with all its fascinating character.
Of even earlier construction is the small chapel of Montesiepi dedicated to San Galgano. It dominates the abbey from a hill not far away. You can reach the chapel from the abbey walking for about ten minutes, or with your car. Inside you will discover the stone with the sword still stuck into it, located on the floor and protected by a thick glass to prevent degradation.
The saint, a former knight, tired of the bloodshed and the sufferance he had seen and inflicted, decided to convert to Christianity leaving his former way of life. As a symbol of his renunciation he plunged his sward inside the rock at the summit of a hill, leaving few centimeters of the blade and the hilt outside, which created the shape of a cross.
Although for many years the sword in the stone was considered a fake, in 2001 the University of Siena conducted a thorough examination and declared that the sword was compatible to the Twelfth century style and alloy composition.
Whether the story is true or not, the San Galgano abbey holds great charm, and should be visited by anyone in Siena or traveling towards the Tuscany coast. During the Opera Festival, suggestive opera representations are held inside the abbey, not to be missed for a breathtaking experience.
The abbey is also a very special place to get married in Tuscany. You will need to ask a special permission, which is usually easily granted. The setting is among the most romantic you can imagine, and nearby is also a large restaurant that can accommodate your reception needs.
Matt loves to travel in Italy and often enjoys his vacation time at splendid villas Tuscany coast. If you are looking for a wedding villa Tuscany, he is the right person to contact.