Lucignano
Lucignano is a well-preserved medieval hill town in southern Tuscany. It is characterized by an oval or elliptical shape. It has a population of around 3,500 and stands at 400m. above sea level in the middle of an agricultural area producing olives, grapes, cereals and sunflowers.
Get in
The town is situated a few kilometers to the northwest of the junction between the A1 Autostrada that connects Rome and Florence and the highway that connects Siena with Perugia. Travelling from Florence leave the Autostrada at Monte S. Savino. Travelling from Rome, leave at Valdichiana following the direction to Siena. After a few kilometers take a right. Any one of these country lanes will eventually get you to Lucignano.
Get around
The town is small and can be easily seen on foot.
See
- Museo Communale (Town museum). Thursdays to Sundays, 10.00 to 17.00 or 18.00 at weekends. Only a few pieces here but all of some interest. Particularly of note is a reliquary known as "L’albero della vita" (Tree of Life), which is a gilded and bejeweled tree with a crucified figure on top.
Do
Explore the town and the surrounding countryside and villages.
Buy
Eat
- [dead link] Trattoria Da Toto. Piazza del Tribunal, 6. Inexpensive restaurant serving traditional recipes from the region. The owner has published several cookbooks and gives cooking demonstrations on Italian TV. No menu; just a five or six-course meal depending on what they decide to cook on the day. Don't forget to finish with a glass or two of one of the many different flavoured grappas (Italian spirit made from grapes). Closed Tuesdays.
Drink
Sleep
- Albergo Osteria Da Toto. In the centre of the town, this hotel provides fairly basic 2-3 Star accommodation for around Euros 60 for a single and Euros 80 for a double. The main reason for staying here is the restaurant (see Eat) and most visitors take the half-board option at Euros 57 per person. Piazza del Tribunal, 6 Lucignano.Tel. +39 0575 836763; Fax +39 0575 836988
Go next
With access to a car, Lucignano is a good base for exploring southern Tuscany and northern Umbria. Florence, Siena, Arezzo, Chianti, Cortona and Perugia are all within an hour or so, together with a host of smaller, but equally fascinating, places.