St. Galgano’s story is a bit unusual, but it’s very similar to St. Francesco’s one, that is much more famous.

Born in Chiusdino in 1148 from Guido and Dionisia, Galgano Guidotti is said to be born for the intercession of the archangel Michael.

Galgano led a dissolute life until the age of 20, when the Archangel Michael appeared to him in dream twice.

In this way began young Galgano’s conversion. He started to preach about Siena and in the nearby, until the time he withdrew to a hut that will become his Hermitage on the Mount Siepi.

He met Pope Alessandro III who blessed him and encouraged him to build an Abbey near the hermitage.

He came back to the hermitage where, despite her mother’s and Polissena’s (his fiancée) despair and the scorn of the others knights, he performed his only known miracle: he deeply stuck his sword in the stone (1180?), so that the hilt could form a cross.

He died at the age of 33 on December, 3rd 1181.

That was the same year when St. Francesco was born.

According to the legend, on the occasion of his burial gathered the bishops of Volterra (Ildebrando Pannocchieschi), of Massa Marittima, of Siena and the Cistercian Abbots from Fossanova.