Lucignano Tuscany

10 Apr

Yesterday, Len and I took a ride to the lovely town of Lucignano with friends. It was a nice spring day and I think we were the only visitors in town. In fact, it seemed as though we were the only people in town.

©Blogginginitaly.com

©Blogginginitaly.com

When we parked the car, I realized we had briefly visited here 5 years ago. This post includes some of the research from my original post, with some updates and some new photos.

Lucignano, a remarkably preserved medieval walled village, is laid out in elliptical rings.

©Blogginginitaly.com

©Blogginginitaly.com

This beautiful town sits 414 metres above sea level and offers its visitors a trip back in time.

©Blogginginitaly.com

©Blogginginitaly.com

©Blogginginitaly.com

Although Lucignano sits between Siena and Arezzo, it came under Florentine control in the 1500s, when a great deal of construction ensued. Today, one can still see the Puccini’s Fortress; Vasari’s 1568 sanctuary of Madonna della Querca; the Cappucini convent, c.1580; and several churches including Piazza S. Francesco with the church of S. Francesco in the background, and

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©Blogginginitaly.com

Chiesa della Collegiata, c.1594.

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©Blogginginitaly.com

©Blogginginitaly.com

©Blogginginitaly.com

IMG_5970

©Blogginginitaly.com

In addition, the Museo Civico, left, offers many artistic treasures including the L’albero della vita, or tree of life, a gilded and jeweled tree holding a crucified figure.

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©Blogginginitaly.com

©www.comune.lucignano.ar.it

©www.comune.lucignano.ar.it

On the village’s website, http://www.comune.lucignano.ar.it,  Lucignano is described as “a pearl of the valdichiana, a small village that represents one of the more extraordinary examples of medieval urban planning for its system of elliptic rings…” Today, the village continues its agricultural and artisan traditions and produces products ranging from olive oil and honey to ceramics and gold jewelry. In addition, should you wish to purchase inlaid furniture or have a piece in need of repair, the skilled artists of Lucignano are ready to oblige.

©Blogginginitaly.com

©Blogginginitaly.com

©Blogginginitaly.com

Five years ago, we saw this written on the window of a wine shop, and I was happy to see it again.

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Wine is the poetry of the earth

And five years ago, we found this sign, but not the restaurant.

IMG_5969

This time, we found the restaurant, and although it was closed, we found the nice people.

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©Blogginginitaly.com

©Blogginginitaly.com

©Blogginginitaly.com

A wonderful way to spend the afternoon, strolling with friends through a beautiful ancient city, rich with history and culture…

©Blogginginitaly.com

©Blogginginitaly.com

making new friends,

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©Blogginginitaly.com

and not even needing to close the door on our way out.

©Blogginginitaly.com

©Blogginginitaly.com

Ciao,
Judy

12 Responses to “Lucignano Tuscany”

  1. karenincalabria April 10, 2016 at 3:26 PM #

    Lovely.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Nella April 10, 2016 at 4:18 PM #

    Fascinating .. Very interesting .. Enjoyed your post …

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Dominic Mosca April 10, 2016 at 5:21 PM #

    How far is it from Cortona I think Julia And I have been there, I really don’t know ?

    Sent from my iPad

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    • blogginginitaly April 11, 2016 at 4:01 PM #

      About 30 Km, an easy afternoon drive, with time to eat and walk around. You probably have been there.

      Like

  4. Royce Larsen April 11, 2016 at 12:30 AM #

    This appears to be a fine example of the many Italian treasures that only someone like yourself can uncover and share with appreciative spectators like myself
    Thank you

    Like

  5. Bobbie Morgan April 11, 2016 at 12:34 AM #

    What a neat experience. Looks like a town worth visiting. As usual, your pictures are amazing.

    Like

  6. Florence Connelly April 11, 2016 at 7:25 AM #

    great post – what a romantic place !

    Liked by 1 person

  7. jean April 11, 2016 at 9:45 PM #

    Added to our list. So many beautiful places, never enough time. Thanks, Judy

    Like

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