Near the village of Monticiano in Tuscany, stands the dramatic ruins of the church of San Galgano, the remains of a Gothic Cistercian church and abbey built by monks between 1224-1288.
Few places in Tuscany have the rare atmosphere of the silent, isolated ruins of this abbey. Today, the monastery has been restored, but the famous church stands with its facade, flanks and apse conveying a grand sense of desolate beauty. The roof has collapsed and inside, the high Gothic arches of the nave flank a carpet of grass.
Siena Cathedral is said to be modeled on this church and is another good example of traditional Cistercian architecture.
The chapterhouse and refectory can also be seen.
Don’t miss St. Galgano’s sword in the stone in the oratory of the bee-hived shaped Chapel of Montesiepi (also called the Chiesetta al San Galgano), high on the hill.
See: Tintern Abbey, Ireland.
In 1983, the director Andrei Tarkovsky filmed the moody last scene of
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