The Sword in the Rock is real, and it is in Italy

The legend of San Galgano and the sword in the stone is one of the most fascinating and mysterious stories in Italian history. It is a story that mixes faith, miracles, adventure and magic, and that has inspired many writers and artists over the centuries. Because the sword in the rock is not a legend, it is real and it is in Tuscany, in the province of Siena!

San Galgano was a knight born in 1148 in Chiusdino, in the province of Siena. He was a brave young man but also violent and dissolute, who led a worldly and reckless life. One day, however, he had a vision of Saint Michael the Archangel, who invited him to follow the path of holiness and to go to Montesiepi, where he would find a round with twelve apostles. San Galgano obeyed the vision and set off for the mountain, but along the way he was attacked by bandits and temptations of all kinds. To resist the snares of the evil one, San Galgano invoked the help of God and stuck his sword in the rock, turning it into a cross. In this way, he renounced weapons and violence, and consecrated himself to God. He then retired to a hut on Mount Siepi, where he lived as a hermit until his death, which occurred in 1181.

The sword in the stone is still visible today in the chapel of the hermitage of Montesiepi, and is considered a sacred relic. The sword has been the subject of studies and analysis that have confirmed its historical authenticity. It is indeed a real sword from the 12th century, albeit broken at the tip. The sword also has some engravings on the pommel and guard, which could be religious or esoteric symbols. The rock in which the sword is stuck is a conglomerate of stones and clay, which could have been chosen on purpose for its soft consistency. However, it is not known for sure how San Galgano managed to insert the sword into the rock, or whether it was a miracle or a skillful operation.

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The hermitage of Montesiepi is a circular construction that was erected between 1182 and 1185, above the hut where San Galgano lived his last year of life. Inside the hermitage you can also admire some frescoes from the 14th century, including one depicting San Galgano himself. The hermitage is a place of worship and pilgrimage, where you can breathe an atmosphere of peace and spirituality.

In the valley below the hermitage there is also the abbey of San Galgano, a majestic Gothic church without a roof, which was built between 1220 and 1268 by the Cistercian monks who venerated the saint. The abbey is today an evocative monument in ruins, which often hosts cultural and musical events. The abbey has a Latin cross plan, with three naves and a transept. The presbytery is raised above the rest of the church, and is surmounted by a polygonal apse. The facade is decorated with a rose window and two biforas. The bell tower is separate from the church and is also in ruins.

The legend of San Galgano and the sword in the stone has also inspired many writers and artists, who have found similarities with the saga of King Arthur and the sword Excalibur. Some have even speculated that San Galgano was actually King Arthur himself, or that he had contacts with the knights of the Round Table. These hypotheses are based on some common elements between the two stories, such as the sword in the stone, the round with twelve apostles, the name Galgano that recalls that of Gawain, and the presence of a mysterious female figure, who could be identified with Morgan le Fay or with Mary. However, these hypotheses have no historical or documentary basis, and are only fruit of fantasy and suggestion.

The legend of San Galgano and the sword in the stone is therefore a fascinating story and a deep faith, that deserve a visit. It is a place that tells the story of a knight who renounced his worldly life to follow God’s call, and who left a tangible sign of his conversion. The sword in the stone is a symbol of peace and hope, that invites to seek good and fight evil. The hermitage and abbey are testimonies of a culture and art that have been able to express beauty and spirituality of place. The legend of San Galgano and sword in stone is story worth knowing telling.