Guide to Lucignano in Tuscany, a medieval gem

Things to do in Lucignano in Val di Chiana

Lucignano is a tiny town in Val di Chiana located not far from the highway A1. It is a medieval village with a characteristic elliptical shape that is organized along streets that form circles (or ellipses) almost concentric. The peculiar shape of the town was defined in the 14th century by the city walls.

We get into the city centre through Porta San Giusto. On the left you’ll find a square and the Castle with its high tower.

Collegiata di San Michele Arcangelo

In front of the castle, a short ramp leads to the Collegiate church of San Michele Arcangelo. Built in 1594, the church has a latin cross planimetry. The facede is unfinished in the upper part. Inside there are some paintings (seventeeth century) and a beautiful stucco and marble altar from the early 18th century.

Things to do in Lucignano: visit the Collegiate church of San Michele Arcangelo — Collegiate church of San Michele Arcangelo

Palazzo and Museo Comunale

Behind the collegiate church, we get to the main square of the village: piazza del Tribunale. Here stands the Palazzo comunale and, on its right, the Chiesa di San Francesco.

The Palazzo comunale, adorned by some coats of arms in stone, hosts the Museo Comunale founded in 1924. This small museum displays artwork, mainly of sacred art, dated between the 14th and the 16th centuries. The most important piece of the museum is probably the so-called “Albero della Vita” (“tree of life” also known as “Tree of Lucignano”, “Tree of love” and “Golden tree”). It is a precious tree-shaped reliquary created between the 14th and the 15th centuries by goldsmiths from Siena with composite materials ranging from copper gold to coral.

Opening hours:
In Summer: thursday-sunday10.30-13.00 and 14.30-18.00
In Winter: friday-sunday10.00-13.00 and 14.30-17.30
Tickets: regular 5 euro; reduced 3 euro
Website

Chiesa di San Francesco

Buil in 13th century, the church of San Francesco has a facade marked by rowa white and grey with an elegant gothic portal. The interior is embellished with frescoes of sienese artists as Bartolo di Fredi.