Pienza
Pienza, Siena, Tuscany
The UNESCO-listed village of Pienza was little more than a sleepy Tuscan hamlet until the 15th-century reign of Pope Pius II. The pontiff enlisted the help of architect Bernardo Rossellino to transform his hometown village (previously called Corsignano) into an ideal Renaissance city full of stunning architecture.
Many of Pienza’s most memorable spots were built during a three-year period. The town’s historic center is the Piazza Pio II, which is surrounded by the Palazzo Piccolomini, the Palazzo Borgia, and a stunning cathedral. The square is also home to restaurants and cafés. Other local highlights include the Pieve di Corsignano, a 12th-century church located just down the hill from the town’s center, and the town’s famous local cheese, Pecorino di Pienza.xa0
Many tours of Tuscany visit Pienza along with neighboring Val D’Orcia towns, including Siena, Montalcino, and Montepulciano. You can also opt for a tour that focuses on the area’s traditional foods and wines, including Pienza’s famous cheese.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes; the town is best explored on foot.
- Some tours of Pienza may include entrance fees, transportation, guides, food, and drink; check with your tour company for details.xa0
- Pienza, while small, makes a great home base for exploring the area, and there are a number of hotels in town.
Pienza is about 73 miles (117 kilometers) south of Florence. The drive from Florence, along European Route E35 or Raccordo Autostradale Firenze–Siena and SR2, takes just under two hours. The closest train station is in Chiusi Scalo; from there, it takes two buses to reach town—first take a bus to Montepulciano, where you can catch a bus to Pienza. You can also take a bus from Siena to Pienza; the ride takes about 75 minutes.
Pienza can get extremely crowded on summer weekends, so come during the week if you want a quieter visit. For a festive time, plan your trip for early September, and enjoy the Fiera del Cacio, a festival dedicated to the town’s cheese. Christmas is also a very popular time to visit the city.
Tuscany’s beautiful rolling hills are full of stunning towns and cities. Head to Siena—and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic Renaissance center—to see the Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena), the Battistero di San Giovanni, and the Palazzo Pubblico (Town Hall). Continue on to Montalcino, a picturesque medieval town famous for its Brunello di Montalcino wine, and make a stop in Montepulciano, a beautiful hill town near the Tuscany-Umbria border.
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