Chiusdino between San Galgano and Val di Merse

Chiusdino between San Galgano and Val di Merse

Chiusdino combines sacred architecture, local history and a clear connection to the Grand Tour della Val di Merse cycling loop. At its centre is the San Galgano complex with its preserved monastery complex, church, monastery and Eremo di Montesiepi. This picture is complemented by the Museo Civico e Diocesano d'Arte Sacra di San Galgano in Palazzo Taddei in the historic centre of Chiusdino, on Via Umberto I. This makes it possible to experience the town through several specific points of interest: architecture, religious history, views and a signposted circular route.

San Galgano: architecture and monastic spaces

In the wider regional surroundings of Chiusdino, the preserved San Galgano monastery complex includes monumental walls, the naves of the church and several rooms, including the refectory. Construction work on the Abbazia di San Galgano complex took place from 1218 to 1288. The abbey church has a Latin-cross floor plan; its interior is divided into three naves by 16 cruciform pillars. The church and monastery are among the most interesting examples of Cistercian-Gothic architecture and among the key starting points for the spread of this style in Italy.

The individual rooms also give the visit a logical sequence. The Scriptorium is the first area open to visitors in the San Galgano complex. Its rooms were used for writing, copying and preserving manuscript texts. The Sala Capitolare is the second area open to visitors within the San Galgano abbey complex. For visits to the Abbazia di San Galgano in Chiusdino, the Fondazione San Galgano offers an active online ticket service.

Churches, views and local history

The Eremo di Montesiepi houses the iconic sword of San Galgano. It is embedded in the rock and projects from the church floor at the summit of the hill. Piazza Garibaldi offers a different view of the surroundings: it is a panoramic terrace overlooking the surrounding area.

Several churches anchor the town's history in different centuries. The earliest evidence of the existence of the Chiesa di San Martino a Chiusdino dates back to the 12th century; it was first mentioned in writing in 1165. The Chiesa di San Sebastiano displays features in its structure indicating an origin in the 15th century. The Casa Natale di San Galgano is, with reservations, considered to be the house where Galgano da Chiusdino is said to have been born around the middle of the 12th century.

Cycling through the Val di Merse

For active days of travel, the Grand Tour della Val di Merse provides a clearly defined framework. The fully signposted cycling loop is approximately 173 kilometres long. Chiusdino is one of the six medieval towns along the Grand Tour della Val di Merse, which is laid out as a circular route.

If you choose Chiusdino as your destination, you can tailor your stay to your own interests: to the Cistercian-Gothic architecture of San Galgano, the churches and historical references in the town, the view from Piazza Garibaldi or a longer cycling tour through the Val di Merse. The different stops make visible how closely sacred buildings, local history, landscape and regional mobility exist alongside one another here.

More places for planning your trip

Montalcinello, Ciciano, Frassini, San Giusto, Frosini, San Casciano Dei Bagni, Monticiano and Radicofani

For the overarching travel overview: Siena.