Lucignano

Italy

Panorama of 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.

  • Museo Communale. 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.

Museo Communale. 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.

Explore the town and the surrounding countryside and villages.

  • 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.

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.

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.