Anyone who by chance or for pleasure crosses the Valle delle Merse from the sea towards Siena cannot help but be fascinated by the beauty and primitive charm that these places convey, to the point that even with little imagination, one can easily imagine still being in the Middle Ages. Just as we exit the valley, a magnificent green valley opens up before our eyes, with Chiusdino on the left. And it is here that our legend begins.
It is told that Guidotto and Dionisia from the noble family of the Guidotti lived comfortably in their castle, from which they could see the Valle delle Merse, and they would have been happy, but a worry troubled their serenity. Although Dionisia was already advancing in years, she had not had children, and this was a great concern for them, so much so that the woman was always praying for God's grace.
Guidotto was full of joy, finally their prayers were answered, and he had everyone dressed up for the feast and adorned the horses with the most beautiful trappings, to go up to the parish church where he was baptized. Galgano grew up and became a carefree and libertine young man who loved to ride and hunt. He had friends all over the Maremma. In Civitella, he even found his girlfriend, Polissena Brizzi.
Galgano, in the prime of his years, ignored his mother's advice, indulging in every whim that his young age allowed. Dionisia despaired: "the son we have longed for is nothing but a great sinner." Guidotto consoled her: "He will grow up and put his head on straight." Dionisia continued to pray to the Archangel Michael to lead her son back on the right path, meanwhile, Guidotto died. Galgano shed no tears. However, he had a dream in his sleep that troubled him, and the next morning he told his mother everything: "Mother, I dreamt of you holding hands with an angel with golden wings and a sword in hand, and he told you to dress me as a knight because I had to go with him." "Son," the woman replied, "seeing St. Michael can only be a good thing, to whom both your father and I have always been devoted." Later, Galgano behaved as if nothing had happened, but after a few years, the Archangel appeared again: "Follow me!" he said, and led him to the river where there was a narrow and long bridge, beyond which was a beautiful meadow full of flowers. Crossing it, he felt as if he were entering Monte Siepi, where the Twelve Apostles were waiting for him. Galgano was bewildered, unable to understand. Suddenly, the vision of Christ crucified appeared to him, and he asked what it meant. The Apostles replied, "It is what has been and is, and I will return when the world ends." Galgano still did not understand the meaning of those visions, and upon awakening, he told everything to his mother.
One spring morning, since it had been a long time since he had seen his beloved Polissena, he decided to go visit her to discuss wedding plans. And while he was riding, absorbed in his thoughts, the Archangel appeared before him, enveloped in a dazzling light blocking his way, the sword raised and eyes from which seemed to emit an unreal light. The frightened horse threw Galgano off, he got up and remained motionless without saying a word, absorbed, he drew out the sword which went into the rock forming a cross with the hilt, the Archangel disappeared, the tree branches formed a dome above the sword. From that moment, Galgano became a hermit devoted to the Lord.
But the Evil One could not stand idly by while a sinner eluded him, so he urged his mother to go and find him to try to convince him to return and marry, trusting that once he abandoned that life of penance, he would return to sin as much as before, if not more. But Dionisia was not successful, so she set out for Civitella where Polissena lived. Upon seeing the woman, Polissena jumped for joy, "Where is Galgano?" "My dear," Dionisia replied, "Galgano is no longer the same! He is now a hermit; if you come with me, he may change his mind." When they reached where he lived, they did not find him; they waited for him for a long time in vain. Returning to the castle, they asked the peasants if they had seen him: "This morning, at dawn, he was walking barefoot towards Rome." The Evil One, seeing himself losing, incited a handful of men to dismantle that sword forming a cross. In vain, the men attacked that rock, which seemed indestructible and broke their tools; then they turned their fury against the sword with unheard-of ferocity, only calming down when the sword broke. When Galgano returned, saddened, he began to pray so intensely and devoutly that once the remaining pieces were put back together, they fused forever. That's how even Polissena was convinced to dedicate her life to the Lord and the cloistered life. Evil was thus defeated.
On the night of December 3, 1181, Galgano died leaning on his cross, which we can admire in the small church built around it. This is intended to be just a story, so forgive me, all those far more knowledgeable than me, if I have overlooked something.
