5 reasons to visit Pienza

Here are 5 reasons why you should visit Pienza:

The rebuilding of Pienza according to humanist urban reorganization was an example for many other Italian and European cities. Piazza Pio II is the hub of Pienza as all of the town’s main monuments are located on this square. The cathedral tower over all the other buildings (the Pope wanted this as a sign of faith). The second most important building on the square is Palazzo Piccolomini, Rossellino's masterpiece, inspired by Palazzo Rucellai in Florence. Palazzo Borgia is another jewel found on this square. Palazzo Ammannati, Palazzo Gonzaga and Palazzo del Cardinale Atrebatense add the finishing touches to a fascinating urban fabric.

In 1996, UNESCO decided to make the centre of Pienza into a World Heritage Site “considering that the site is of outstanding universal value as it represents the first application of the Renaissance Humanist concept of urban design, and as such occupies a seminal position in the development of the concept of the planned "ideal town" which was to play a significant role in subsequent urban development in Italy and beyond.”. In 2004, the entire Val d'Orcia was included on the list of UNESCO's World Cultural Landscapes. 

This area of Tuscany is magical and harmony reigns, it has inspired poets, writers and artists. It's the realm of cypress trees, country roads and hillside landscapes. Don't miss this corner of paradise!

Every first Sunday in September, Pienza celebrates one of its main products, pecorino cheese. In fact, Pienza is considered the “capital” of pecorino cheese, because of its high quality due to the fact that the cheese is made from an especially flavoursome and aromatic milk thanks to sheep pastures in Val d'Orcia.

Pienza is a romantic city because of its streets with “lovely” names such as Via dell'Amore (love street) and Via del Bacio (kiss street). If you are in a romantic mood you should definitely visit this place!

If you want to know more, read our article “The love route in Tuscany”.

The Cathedral: the cathedral was built on the remains of the Romanesque church of St. Mary (still visible in the crypt). The façade is typical of the Renaissance and is divided into three parts by arched columns. On the left wing there is an octagonal, cuspidate bell tower that is reminiscent of the ones Pope Pius II saw in Germany. Works of art in the cathedral include five altar paintings from the Sienese School. There is also a baptistery next to the apse of the church. 

Piazza Pio II: the square rebuilt by Rossellino is flanked by the cathedral and three palaces: one for the government, one for the bishop and one for Pope Pius II. Pienza is the only Renaissance town centre in Italy to have survived the centuries perfectly intact.

Palazzo Piccolomini: this is Rossellino's masterpiece and has a three-arched loggia on the ground floor facing the cathedral with the council chamber above it.

Palazzo Borgia (Palazzo Vescovile): given by Pius II to Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (the future Pope Alexander VI), it is home to the Diocesan museum. The collection includes local textile work as well as religious artefacts.

Palazzo Comunale: the town hall is the most recent of the buildings on the piazza, with its ample loggia and façade decorated with a scratched plaster technique and a brick tower, which was built later. It also has a brick bell tower, which is shorter than the cathedral’s to symbolize the superior power of the Church.

If you want to reach Pienza by car, the closest highway exits are "Val di Chiana - Bettolle" and "Chiusi - Chianciano Terme". If  you prefer public transportation, the nearest railway stations are "Chiusi - Chianciano Terme" and "Buonconvento". Once there, you should get a bus to Pienza.

The original version of this article was written by Serena Puosi.