Nestled in the Tuscan hills, where the Valdichiana offers a panorama of rare beauty, stands Lucignano, a walled medieval town dominated by the Cassero, a mighty fortress that bears witness to its ancient power.
The Cassero di Lucignano was erected in the 14th century, when the town was ruled by Siena. Its strategic position, on the border between the provinces of Siena and Arezzo, made it a military control point of primary importance. Its mighty walls, crenellated towers and loopholes tell stories of battles, sieges and conquests. Today, walking along the walls of the Cassero, visitors can still admire the splendid view of the Valdichiana and the surrounding villages.
The interior façade is decorated with two coats of arms: the black-and-white balzana of Siena and the rampant lion of the Capitano del Popolo. Both symbols testify the dominion of Siena over Lucignano, which lasted for over two centuries. After the Battle of Scannagallo (1554), the Cassero came under the control of Florence and lost its military function. From then on, the Cassero has had various functions: from a grain storehouse to a theatre in 1829, and now a museum that tells the story of Lucignano and its inhabitants.
The Cassero houses an archaeological museum with exhibits from Etruscan and Roman times, a collection of majolica and ceramics, and an art gallery with works by local artists. It is also used as an evocative location for concerts, exhibitions, shows and historical re-enactments. Events such as the Lucignano Medieval Festival, which takes place in August and recreates the atmosphere of the Middle Ages with ladies, knights, musicians and jesters, are also held at the Cassero during the year.
Opposite the Cassero is Piazza delle Logge, commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici in the 16th century. The square is a real architectural jewel, with its loggia connecting the oldest part of the village to the most recent one. Under the loggia it is possible to admire the three symbols of the city authorities: religious, civil and military. In the centre of the square is a fountain in pietra serena, surmounted by a statue of Cosimo I de' Medici. The ideal place to relax and enjoy the unique atmosphere of Lucignano, sipping a coffee in one of the cafés in the square or admiring the typical products on sale inside the local workshops.