Holiday apartment in Chiusdino: Discover San Galgano and Val di Merse

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Chiusdino, the first question is what kind of holiday you would like to plan. Chiusdino combines several religious and historical themes with the Grand Tour della Val di Merse. This makes it possible for groups with different interests to organise their stay around culture, special places and a cycling loop.

San Galgano between architecture and history

In the wider area around Chiusdino, the preserved San Galgano monastery complex comprises monumental walls, the church naves and several rooms, including the refectory. Construction work on the Abbazia di San Galgano complex took place from 1218 to 1288. The church has a Latin-cross floor plan; 16 cruciform pillars divide its interior into three naves. 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 areas of the abbey complex also provide a clear sequence for exploring San Galgano. The Scriptorium is the first area open to visitors in the complex. Its rooms were used for writing, copying and storing manuscript texts. The Sala Capitolare is the second area open to visitors within the abbey complex. For visits to the Abbazia di San Galgano in Chiusdino, the Fondazione San Galgano offers an active online ticket service.

Historic places in Chiusdino

In the historic centre of Chiusdino, the Museo Civico e Diocesano d'Arte Sacra di San Galgano is located in Palazzo Taddei, on Via Umberto I. Piazza Garibaldi offers a different perspective on the area: it is a viewing terrace overlooking the surrounding landscape.

Several churches lead into different historical periods. 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 structure of the Chiesa di San Sebastiano indicates origins in the 15th century. The iconic sword of San Galgano is located in the Eremo di Montesiepi. It is embedded in the rock and projects from the church floor at the summit of the hill. The Casa Natale di San Galgano is tentatively regarded as the house where Galgano da Chiusdino is said to have been born around the middle of the 12th century.

Chiusdino on the Grand Tour della Val di Merse

If you would also like to plan a longer bike ride in addition to visiting cultural sites, Chiusdino is one of the six medieval towns along the Grand Tour della Val di Merse, which is laid out as a circular route. The fully signposted circuit is an approximately 173-kilometre cycling loop. Its approximate total length makes the cycle route a distinct planning focus alongside the visitor areas of San Galgano.

Choosing the right holiday apartment in Chiusdino

When choosing a holiday apartment in Chiusdino, you can decide on your focus in advance: culture and sacred architecture take centre stage if you would like to combine San Galgano, the churches in the town and the historical connections surrounding San Galgano. For active days, the Grand Tour della Val di Merse takes centre stage.

More places for planning your trip

If you would like to choose additional destinations besides Chiusdino, you can also include Montalcinello, Ciciano, Frassini, San Giusto and Frosini in your plans. Other linked destinations include San Casciano Dei Bagni, Vagliagli and Scrofiano.

For the overarching travel overview: Siena.