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Really exists only one sword in the stone, all over the world. It's 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 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.
More information and photos on
Sangalgano.org website
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