The roofless gothic Abbey of Saint Galgano, rich in carved capitals and rose windows offers a unique backdrop to all of the musical events taking place within its wall. The Opera Festival and world-renown musicians of the Siena’s Chigiana Music Academy hold yearly performances well-attended by locals and visitors alike.
The Abbey itself, one of the most beautiful monuments in Tuscany, was built in the 13th century to welcome pilgrims who came to visit the tomb of St. Galgano. The greater part of the roof was destroyed when the bell tower collapsed in the 18th century, and local builders in search of materials took care of the rest. Yet the cathedral remains one of the most fascinating and most visited ruins in Tuscany.
NOTES:
Operas range in cost from € 45-50- 55 , with half-price for children
under 12. Carmina Burana €33 & 37, with children under 18 €20. The
Seasons and In the footsteps of Diaghilev €22-27, with children under 12
€14. There is a €27 euro booking charge for each concert/opera for any
amount of tickets.
Come early to the performance and stop by the fascinating Hermitage of Montesiepi, which is the beautiful beehive tomb of St. Galgano, a knight who planted his sword in a stone, renounced his previous dissolute life, and lived as a hermit on this small hill for the rest of his life. The children might enjoy this stopover as well, for the sword is still there as are the bony hands of evildoers who tried to sneak up on St. Galgano.
This is the Hermitage of Montesiepi below:
