Lucignano's town plan is a near-perfect ellipse: three concentric rings of streets spiral from the collegiate church at the summit to the town walls, creating a snail-shell pattern visible from the air (and on Google Maps — check it). This is the only surviving example of an elliptical medieval town plan in Italy, probably organic (not designed) but no less remarkable for being accidental. Inside the Palazzo Comunale: the Albero d'Oro (Golden Tree) — a 14th-century reliquary in the shape of a tree, 2.6 meters tall, made of gilded silver, rock crystal, and coral, with branches holding relics and enamel plaques. It's the most extraordinary medieval goldsmith work in Tuscany outside Florence. The town has 200 residents inside the walls, one restaurant, and the view over the Val di Chiana from every terrace. Tuscany →
Plan my Tuscany trip →The spiral: Walk the three concentric rings from the outer wall to the summit — the geometry is palpable in your feet. Palazzo Comunale / Museo: The Albero d'Oro (the only reason needed to come here) — a tree-shaped reliquary of gilded silver, coral, and crystal, 2.6m tall, made in Siena 1350-1471. Also: Sienese paintings (Bartolo di Fredi, Luca Signorelli). €5. Collegiata di San Michele: At the summit — 13th century, with a staircase facade. The walls: Nearly complete circuit — the Cassero (fortified tower at the northern gate) frames the Val di Chiana view.
Getting there: car from Arezzo (25min), Cortona (25min), Monte San Savino (5min). No train. Duration: 1-1.5 hours. Eat: Il Goccino (€25-35 — the one restaurant, excellent). Combine with: Monte San Savino (5min — Sansovino architecture), Cortona (25min), Arezzo (25min — Piero della Francesca), Montepulciano (30min).