The Abbey of Saint Galgano is in Gothic style and built between 1218 and 1288 by the Cistercian monks who came from Casamari. It's the first gothic church build in Tuscany. It was built here because the Cistercian monks used to build their monasteries close to rivers, (here the Merse) where woods, marshlands and plans could be cultivated, and along important thoroughfares. It lies in a valley between the towns of Chiusdino and Monticiano in the region of Siena, Tuscany, Italy.
Some important men formed the monastic community of St. Galgano but first the famine (1329) then the plague (1348) hit the community badly. Afterwards the Abbey lands were devastated by mercenary bands and at the end of the 15th century the monks moved to Siena. In 1786, lightning struck the bell tower which collapsed onto the roof of the Abbey and the church was deconsecrated in 1789.
Nearby are the chapel (1185), the tomb of Saint Galgano, a Knight, and the alleged site of his death in 1181, the sword said to have been planted in the ground by Galgano, and a chapel with frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti.
Some important men formed the monastic community of St. Galgano but first the famine (1329) then the plague (1348) hit the community badly. Afterwards the Abbey lands were devastated by mercenary bands and at the end of the 15th century the monks moved to Siena. In 1786, lightning struck the bell tower which collapsed onto the roof of the Abbey and the church was deconsecrated in 1789.
Nearby are the chapel (1185), the tomb of Saint Galgano, a Knight, and the alleged site of his death in 1181, the sword said to have been planted in the ground by Galgano, and a chapel with frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti.
Above and below is the chapel which contains the tombstone of Galgano along with his sword in the stone.
Inside the chapel.
Frescoes inside the chapel.
Saint Galgano's sword in the rock. Legend says that he drove it into the rock when he gave up his role as a knight and became a priest.
The Abbey from afar.
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