Signa

Signa is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Florence in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 12 kilometres (7 mi) west of Florence. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 16,809 and an area of 18.8 square kilometres (7.3 sq mi). The municipality of Signa contains the frazioni (subdivisions, mainly villages and hamlets) Colombaia, Lecore, Sant'Angelo a Lecore and San Mauro a Signa. Signa borders the following municipalities: Campi Bisenzio, Carmignano, Lastra a Signa, Poggio a Caiano, Scandicci. Signa is a typical Tuscan town. On the day after Easter, there is an important religious festival in honour of the Beata Giovanna. There is a procession that parades in the streets of Signa, and many people wear old costumes. In Giacomo Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, the "molini di Signa" (mills of Signa) are the most coveted by his relatives of Buoso Donati's properties. The anonymous Master of Signa was from the town. Other natives include the artists Bruno Catarzi, Giuseppe Santelli, Raffaello Fossi, Alimondo Ciampi, and Alvaro Cartei; the academics Tommaso Bisagno and Boncompagno da Signa; Blessed Giovanna da Signa; the journalist Piergiorgio Branzi; and the actor Giancarlo Gori. Demographic evolution References External links www.comune.signa.fi.it/