Places
Viewpoint·Easy·Relaxing·Popular
Abbazia di San Galgano, Chiusdino
Tuscany
The Abbazia di San Galgano is a roofless Cistercian Gothic abbey (built 1218–1288) standing in open Sienese countryside. The nave is now a meadow; the vaulted arches frame the sky. The nearby Rotonda di Montesiepi has San Galgano's sword in the stone (a real 12th-century sword embedded in rock — the likely origin of the Arthurian legend's Italian version). Dogs walk freely in the meadow.
Duration
1.5 hours
Distance
3 km
Elevation
+30 m
Best season
Year-round
Highlights
- Roofless Gothic nave open to the sky — 13th century
- Sword in the stone — real 12th-century blade embedded in rock
- Possible origin of Arthurian sword-in-stone legend
With your dog
Open field and ruin; dogs welcome.
