Eremo di Montesiepi
Eremo di Montesiepi
4.5
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14 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
935 reviews
Excellent
461
Very good
348
Average
108
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10
Terrible
8
westy54
Sydney, Australia13,544 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
This chapel was initially built between 1181 and 1185, thus pre-dating the construction of the nearby San Galgano Abbey in the 13th century, on the site where San Galgano (Galgano Guidotti 1148-1181) lived his last years as a hermit and is believed to be buried. The original circular chapel, which is built in a Romanesque style on top of a small hill, has retained much of its original appearance notwithstanding that it was enlarged in the 14th century when a rectangular chapel and a bell tower were added. Some lovely frescoes are to be found inside.
Of most interest though is the sword in the stone on the floor in the main chapel which is said to have been lodged there by San Galgano when he renounced his previous life as a knight to take up faith. The sword is now covered by a perspex shield and has a small steel rail around it.
It is well worth a look though it is small and dark inside.
You can walk up to the Chapel after visiting the Abbey, approximately a 10 minute walk up a dirt path, or drive up the hill and park in front.
Of most interest though is the sword in the stone on the floor in the main chapel which is said to have been lodged there by San Galgano when he renounced his previous life as a knight to take up faith. The sword is now covered by a perspex shield and has a small steel rail around it.
It is well worth a look though it is small and dark inside.
You can walk up to the Chapel after visiting the Abbey, approximately a 10 minute walk up a dirt path, or drive up the hill and park in front.
Written May 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
notb4mybeer
Province of Naples, Italy185 contributions
Jul 2021
This was a fun little stop and it is right next to the Abby of San Galgano, so it's a nice little road trip. It IS out in the middle of nowhere on a windy road, well outside of Chiusdino so be prepared for that ahead of time. The sword in the stone story is really cool and it was a nice side trip while visiting Siena.
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dariya D
Rome, Italy73 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
All the legends about this sword are very impressive. Although I must say that they should change the plastic glass over the sword because at the moment you see mostly scratches and glares instead of the sword itself. Not telling about trying to take a picture of it... Despite this disappointment, all the rest is beautiful.
Written July 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
arborfieldman
Wokingham, UK704 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
........there is a sword stuck in a rock. Unfortunately it is hard to examine in detail because of the rather scratched and discoloured Perspex done that has been placed over the sword and stone in the middle of the chapel. Apparently the sword has been analysed and is of the correct vintage for the legend to be 100% true! The chapel itself is unremarkable, a dome with striped stonework inside and out and minimal decoration. Don't miss the rectangular ante-room where the keep the mummified hands of the last person the try to steal the sword, a wolf ate the rest of him. Worth visiting and free entry!
Written August 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heidi H
Chicago, IL68 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
My husband and I attended Sunday mass in the chapel during our stay in Churisdino. The building is designed with stones that form a circular design. Quite impressive, especially considering it was built in the 14th century. Many people stop in to take pictures (during mass!!!) of the famous "sword in the stone" placed there by noble knight Galgano Guidotti (he later died a recluse in this exact location). After mass we walked down to the bottom of the hill to a little shop serving pastries, cool drinks and cappuccinos. There was a Falconer outside the shop who treated us to a show with his birds of prey.
Written August 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PB H
Austin, TX141 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
If you are going to the Abbey San Galgano, start at the Eremo on the top of the hill. Fascinating history about the "sword in the stone" and beautiful building. The history is wonderful and then you are prime for the Abbey!
Written November 3, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gcardill
Staunton, VA142 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
This is a legendary place, and you should go with this idea in mind. The eremo per se is small and really the only thing to see is the sword in the stone, but still it's worth the visit. You are surrounded by the tuscan hills and the countryside is gorgeous.
Written July 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dillons780
Long Island, NY527 contributions
Jun 2022
A great visit to the famous sword and stone. This made for a great quick trip in the morning to see the famous sword and stone, and when we finished taking photos we took a quick 10 minute walk next door to the famous Abbazia di San Galgano which was also beautiful!
Written June 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inke B
Paris, France30 contributions
Aug 2019
this seems to be where the legend of King Arthur and the round table got the idea for a sword within a stone. It's a very unique little place near Chiusdino and well worth a visit. We went with rental ebikes because the surrounding landscape is a bit hilly. There is also a little souvenir shop with a grumpy tenant.
Written August 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ludovico Lami
Ulm, Germany8 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
The spartan chapel, the simple and true piousness it emanates, the wonderful frescos by Lorenzetti, and finally the sword in the stone by San Galgano are of great inspiration to every soul who visits this place.
Written July 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
angelo g
Province of Brescia, Italy
Buongiorno, vorrei sapere se ci sono orari da rispettare per la visita.
Grazie.
angelo
Written April 3, 2024
alessandra_biondi3
Ferrara, Italy
si ci sono orari
sono aggiornati facendo la ricerca su google
dovrebbero essere aperti sicuramente dalle 10 in poi
Written April 3, 2024
mikyxym
Vercelli, Italy
Quanto dista il parcheggio? È possibile arrivare all'eremo in auto o si deve lasciare l'auto prima della salita?
Written June 14, 2020
𝐴𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑜 𝐷'𝐴𝑔𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑜 🇮🇹
Avezzano, Italy
Salve, è possibile arrivare fino all'eremo con l'auto, c'è un piccolo parcheggio gratuito proprio di fianco la struttura.
Written June 15, 2020
Dal centro del paese di Chiusdino è possibile raggiungere a piedi l'eremo e l'abbazia? Se si in quanto tempo? È consigliabile portare scarpe adatte o la strada è asfaltata?
Written July 23, 2018
valter195217
Cuneo, Italy
È lontano.
Se proprio vuoi camminare, puoi parcheggiare la macchina presso l’abbazia.
Da qui puoi raggiungere a piedi l’eremo: ci sono poche centinaia di metri di strada sterrata fra campi e collinetta non impegnativi.
Written July 26, 2018
Hi, can anyone help me...what is the best route to take to visit the sword of the stone travelling from rome? Is it better to use public transport or drive straight up the coast and if so would this include toll roads?
Also what is the cost involved in the vist and would it be open to visit around the christmas period? Thank you
Written October 15, 2017
Max G
Grosseto, Italy
ciao Roberto, la chiesa di Montesiepi è aperta al pubblico gratuitamente e li puoi ammirare la spada nella roccia di San Galgano oltre alla chiesa circolare.
la visita che si paga è quella del tempio di San Galgano che si trova a valle della chiesa e a pochi passi.
il biglietto è di soli 3 euro e la spesa vale la visita perché il sito è molto bello.
Written March 13, 2017
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