The origin of the name is uncertain but probably could derive from "Pagus Dianus" namely a "Village in a good position".  There are traces of Paciano since 917 and in 1860 became one Commune.

Paciano is surrounded by olive groves and trees and it stands at 392m above sea level, on the slopes of Mount Petrarvella.  Its area covers only 16 sq km and it counts about 980 inhabitants.  

The urban structure, with a 13th century plan which opens fanlike, includes surrounding walls,  three arched gates and towers, that give the appearance of a country castle, rendering this to be the most beautiful and well preserved medieval villages in our countryside.  Paciano represents the ideal place for those who seek peace and relaxation in a place immersed in nature, history and the gastronomy of Umbria.  Paciano's position is truly unique, like a rare pearl one finds in the middle of a rich tourist route, that makes other important cities of Umbria and Tuscany accessable.  Some of these are: Castiglione del Lago, Chiusi, Chianciano Terme, Montepulciano, Perugia, Pienza, Assisi, Arezzo, Gubbio and a part of Val di Chiana. 

 Paciano has many important churches.  The church of S. Giuseppe or di "Dentro" a miraculous communal standard by Benedetto Bonfigli. Depicting the Madonna delle Grazie (XVth century), patron of the city, is kept here.  Near this building you can find the church of S. Carlo whith a notable XVIIth portal and a remarkable wooden crucifix.  Just outiside Porta Fiorentina, one of the three gates, on the square, you can find the church of Santa Maria with a fountain, built before the year 1000, with a view of  Lake Trasimeno. In the surrounding area, you can visit the church of the Madonna della Stella erected in 1572.  It preserves interesting frescoes by the Perugian Scilla Pecennini. 

Another church is the one of S. Salvatore in Ceraseto straight along the street on the way to Panicale.  According to the legend, it stands on the site of an ancient temple dedicated to Ceres.  Above the high altar is a fresco by the school of Perugino.  Straight along the street to Chiusi, you can find the small church of S.S. Sebastiano e Rocco.  If you are interested in art, there is a very important collection in the Confraternita del Santissimo Sacramento.  In the old building dominated by a large fresco of the Crocefissione by Francesco di Castel della Pieve, master of the Perugino, you can find a collection of precious paintings and masterpieces documenting the history of Paciano from Etruscan times to the XVIIIth century.  Inside the walls you can find many important "palazzi" like Palazzo Cennini, summer residence of a cardinal with massive Reinassance loggias facing onto the gardens.  Palazzo Baldeschi is characterized by a monumental stairway,  a project by architect Vignola.  The Rocca Buitoni, was the original part of the defensive walls.  Adjacent to this building there was an old oil mill now restored.  Just outiside of Paciano, direction of Panicale, you can find the Torre d'Orlando.  The tower with merlons is all that remain of the castle situated on the ancient road from Perugia to Chiusi.  It owes its name to an Italian tradition which attributes to Charlesmagne's paladino, the remains of a great building of the past.  The ruins of a Franciscan convent stand nearby.

Paciano is renowned for its olive groves, its vineyards and fruit orchards. Handcrafts are also very important and some old skills from the rural tradition have been rediscovered.  Tourism remains the main source of income for this locality which offers natural beauty and well developed reception facilities.