San Galgano Abbey 
The Abbey of San Galgano from southwest. Click to enlarge and see our San Galgano Abbey Photo Gallery for many more views.
View of San Galgano Abbey from across the fields to the west.
Stone and brick west facade of the abbey church.
Cemetery chapel on the north side of the church.
View of the abbey's north side and cemetery chapel from above.
South transept from west.
East end of the abbey church, with the Hermitage visible on the right.
Closer look at the east facade.
Interior of the abbey church, looking west.
Pointed arches of the south aisle.
Picturesquely located in the rural fields of Tuscany, San Galgano Abbey is a ruined Cistercian monastery dating from the 13th century.
History
The Abbey of San Galgano was founded by Cistercian monks from Casamari Abbey. They dedicated the new foundation to St. Galganus (d.1181), a hermit who lived on the hill above the abbey. The abbey was constructed around 1224-88.
The monks of San Galgano were exceptionally powerful and played a major role in the affairs of nearby cities. Their many duties included resolving disputes between such cities as Siena and Volterra and even overseeing the construction of Siena Cathedral.
The abbey declined in the 16th century due to a long period of corruption that culiminated with an abbot selling the lead from the church roof, which soon collapsed. The monastery was eventually abandoned and the church was deconsecrated. Although the roof is still missing and the cloister has mostly disappeared, the abbey remains remarkably intact today.
What to See
Modeled on the mother house at Cîteaux (France), San Galgano Abbey is a prime example of Cistercian architecture. Like most Cistercian abbeys, it is austerely Romanesque in style, except for the graceful pointed arches that would become a hallmark of Gothic architecture.
The wide west facade, made of brick with stone cladding on the lower half, has three portals and two lancet windows. The east end is in the unique Cistercian style, with a flat facade rather than a round apse. The east end has round window above and small pointed lancet windows below.
The walls of the abbey church remain fully intact, with only the roof open to the sky. The capitals of the nave are finely carved with simple foliage designs, some of which include a small bird or human face.
The detached rectangular cemetery chapel, highly picturesque among fields on the north side, also dates from the 13th century.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | San Galgano Abbey; Abbazia San Galgano |
| Location: | Tuscany, Italy |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Order: | Cistercian |
| Dedication: | St. Galganus |
| Category: | Abbeys & Monasteries |
| Architecture: | Romanesque |
| Date: | 1244-88 |
| Features: | Spectacular Setting |
| Status: | ruins |
| Photo gallery: | San Galgano Abbey Photo Gallery |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | 53012 Chiusdino SI, Italy |
| Coordinates: | 43.149434° N, 11.155522° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Facilities: | Gift shop (in chapter house), café (by parking), toilets |
| Parking: | Large, free parking lot a few hundred meters down the road |
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of San Galgano Abbey. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Italy Map.
Article Sources
- Personal visit (April 29, 2008).
- Alta Macadam and Ellen Grady, Blue Guide Central Italy with Rome and Florence, 1st ed. (Somerset: Blue Guides Limited, 2008), 469-71.
Last updated on December 20, 2009.
