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Really exists only one sword in the stone, all over the world. It is S.Galgano's sword. We find it in Tuscany, not far from Siena, between the
villages of Monticiano and Chiusdino, near the wonderful ruins of an
impressive Abbey without roof, with a meadow of green grass as floor and
one sword in the stone. A lot of Britan carried in Tuscany. The sword also
seems to be Arthurian.
The story:
Galgano Guidotti was a knight born to rich parents in 1148. He wants to
renounce the material world and also the arts of war. As sign to renounce
violence, Galgano thrust the sword in the stone, adoring it as the Cross.
Later on he does some miracles and die in 1181. Was declared Saint in
1185.
San Galgano: At about 35 Km from Siena. It is a Cistercian Abbey built
in 1324 which holds a very important place in the art and history of
Siena.
It stood near the hill the hill of Montesiepi where Cavalier
Galgano Guidotti from Chiusdino lived a life of penitence from 1148 to
1181; a circular Romanesque chapel with a hemispherical vault was built on
the spot in remembrance ( 12th century ) decorated with frescoes of the
14th century Sienese school.
The Monastery of San Galgano began to decline during the 15th
century when it was deprived of the title of Abbey (1503). The vaults and
the steeple fell to the ground in 1786 and the ruins are still now to be
seen in all their suggestive beauty.
The church was never rebuilt; it has
the shape of a Latin cross 69 m. long, with a nave and lateral aisles,
pointed arches, ribbed vaults and pillars with sculptured capitals.
In the adjoining monastery see the Chapter hall; the portal is ogival and the
hall is divided into two naves by rows of pillars. The refectory, too, is
divided into two naves with well preserved vaults.
Nowadays S.Galgano
Abbey, is one of the most important and beautiful Gothic buildings in
Italy.
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