The mystery of the legendary stone sword of San Galgano

One of Britain's most famous legends is about King Arthur and the sword in the stone. According to the different versions of the story, this sword can only be removed from the rock by the true king of England.

The legendary stone sword of San Galgano

The sword is immersed in the rock on the hill of Montesiepi, Siena, Italy (Photo: Wikimedia)

There is a similar story, though less famous, in Tuscany, Italy. Some even argue that this is the inspiration for the legendary story of King Arthur . This is the story of a sword in the stone of a man named San Galgano .

According to the record, San Galgano was the first person to be officially celebrated by the Roman Church . Therefore, most of San Galgano's life is known through the literature on this canonization process. His canonization ceremony was celebrated in 1185, only a few years after his death. In addition, there are some writings about the life of this Saint written by later authors.

Photo: Sculpture at the National Museum of Pinacotheque, Siena, Italy, depicting the spectacle of Saint San Galgano flooding the sword into the rock.(Photo: Wikimedia)

San Galgano was born in 1148 in Chiusdino in the province of Siena, Italy today. According to records, his mother is Dionisia, and his father (in later works) is Guido or Guidotti. It is thought that San Galgano was only interested in secular pleasures during his youth. Belonging to the aristocracy, he is a knight trained in combat skills, with arrogance and violence. However, all changed, when this knight became a hermit.

The transformation of San Galgano begins with a dream about Angel Archangel Michael, who is often portrayed as a warrior god . In a version of this legend, Archangel Michael appeared before San Galgano and showed him the way to salvation. The angel even told San Galgano where he should go.

The next morning, San Galgano announced that he would become a hermit, and would reside in a nearby cave. Predictably, San Galgano received jokes from his family and friends, presumably thinking he was insane. San Galgano's mother, Dionisia, tried to persuade her son to meet his unmarried wife for the last time before giving up all worldly pleasures. Transport to the noble clothes, San Galgano, and set off to meet his fiancée. On the way, San Galgano's horse suddenly raises his cage and hurls him off its back.

Archangel Michael observes San Galgano as he rests in the cave.The work is on display at the Diocesan Museum.(Photo: Wikimedia)

Later, an invisible power helped to support San Galgano on his legs, and an angelic voice led him to Montesiepi, a hill near Chiusdino. When San Galgano reached the bottom of the hill, he was told to stand still and look at the top of Montesiepi hill. San Galgano is said to have seen the scene of a circular cathedral with Jesus and Mary , standing around the Twelve Apostles. Next, the voice told him to climb the hill, and the scene began to fade.

When San Galgano reached the top of the hill of Montesiepi, the voice rose again, ordering him to give up all his worldly desires . However, San Galgano protested, saying that this was as difficult as forcing him to split the rock with a sword. To prove his point, San Galgano pulled out his sword and crashed into a rock . To his astonishment, the sword pierced the rock like a hot knife through the butter, and stuck in the rock ever since.

San Galgano clearly recognized the message, so he has been living the life of a hermit on Montesiepi hill ever since. A few years after San Galgano died, a small church was built on top of Montesiepi hill, and the sword in the stone was the highlight to attract tourists here.

Chapel-on-top-of-Montesiepi Montesiepi hilltop church, Siena, Italy (Photo: Wikimedia)

For centuries, the sword in stone is said to be a modern artifact. However, a recent study shows that the sword actually dates back to the 12th century, based on its metal composition and design. With the help of a ground-based radar scanner, the researchers also found that there was a 2m long, 1m wide cavity underneath the sword, probably containing the body of San Galgano.

Finally, using the method of determining the age of carbon isotopes with a handful of dried mummified hands - another strange relic of the church, the scientists confirmed that they also originated in the 12th century. Based on a legend, the devil sent an assassin to enlighten a monk to Montesiepi. Wild wolves around the hill, the animals helped by San Galgano, defended this saint, and attacked the one who wanted to harm him. After the assassin was killed, his hands were embalmed and later kept in the cathedral.

The sword is flooded in the rock on Montesiepi hill, Siena city, Italy (Photo: Internet)