The extraordinary ruins of the 13th century gothic Abbey of San Galgano, on the road to Siena north of Grossetto. It was built next to the tomb of Saint Galgano, which houses the sword buried in stone which might just be the origin of the medieval legend of Arthur and Excalibur.

Within a century of being built, the abbey was impoverished and abandoned, and the roof finally caved in at the end of the 18th century. Only the abbey walls, the cloister, and the chapter house remain. On days when you’re tired of the beach, this is a remarkable day trip!