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Eremo di Montesiepi

Eremo di Montesiepi

Eremo di Montesiepi
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles935 reviews
Excellent
461
Very good
348
Average
108
Poor
10
Terrible
8

westy54
Sydney, Australia13,544 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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.

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Eremo di Montesiepi, Chiusdino

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