Due to its conditions or, if you prefer, thank to them, San Galgano’s Abbey casts a shadow of mistery on the surrounding countryside. The focus of the wandering visitors coming along Via Maremmana, used to meet the elongated profile of the square apsis. Today the inside of this roofless place, bare and exposed to the  abuses of  the weather, still attracts the interest of the curious traveller.

A flat stone, laying on two supports mimicking the shape of the pillars, reminds us that in front of this  presbytery a community of believers celebrated mass (more about this in this story).

View of the North face of the transept. Nikon D750, 80 mm (80-400 ƒ/4.5-5.6) 0,5″ ƒ/8 ISO 100

Facing West along the nave from the transept. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24.0 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/125″ ƒ/3.2 ISO 100

The elegant apsis and the altar’s remains. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24.0 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/125″ ƒ/3.2 ISO 100

The rosette over the transept southern end is the only one to survive. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24.0 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/125″ ƒ/3.2 ISO 100

A blossomed hawthorn bush. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24.0 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/5″ ƒ/8 ISO 64

The northern side of the Abbey. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24.0 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/3″ ƒ/10 ISO 64

Night view from North-East. Nikon D810, 105 mm (105.0 mm ƒ/2.8) 20″ ƒ/8 ISO 64

Night view of the facade. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24.0 mm ƒ/1.4) 6″ ƒ/8 ISO 64

Night view of the southern side. Nikon D810, 24 mm (24.0 mm ƒ/1.4) 6″ ƒ/8 ISO 64

The Abbey of San Galgano with the monastery attached to the transept southern end. Nikon D810, 20 mm (20.0 mm ƒ/1.8) 1/15″ ƒ/8 ISO 64

San Galgano Abbey with the Montesiepi Hermitage on the right side. Nikon D810, 20 mm (20.0 mm ƒ/1.8) 1/13″ ƒ/11 ISO 64

San Galgano Abbey, north-western view. Nikon D810, 85 mm (85.0 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/40″ ƒ/8 ISO 64

Oggi, nonostante le sue condizioni o, se si vuole, proprio grazie a queste, l’abbazia staglia un’ombra di mistero sui campi che la circondano. L’interesse del visitatore che, percorrendo la Via Maremmana, incontrava le linee slanciate dell’abside quadrata, è oggi attratto, quasi calamitato, immediatamente verso l’interno, nudo ed esposto al cielo, alle nubi e ai capricci del tempo. Una lastra di pietra, in corrispondenza del presbiterio, posata su due basamenti che riprendono la forma dei pilastri, prova a ricordare che un tempo, in quel luogo, si celebrava un culto.