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Municipality of Pienza, tourism and history

Tourist visiting Pienza
Tourist visiting Pienza

Anyone who is passionate about art history or simply a passionate tourist, sooner or later, should come to Tuscany to visit Pienza, one of the most wonderful examples of Renaissance urban planning.

Pienza, in fact, was completely transformed at the time of Pius II who decided to transform her hometown, which at the time was called Corsignano, into a city ideal of the Renaissance to which the name of Pienza was given.
Almost everything that is interesting to visit is located along the main street, Corso Rosselino: the Duomo, the Church of San Francesco, the Town Hall, the Bishop's Palace and the stately buildings are worth a long stop to admire the details and decorations.

Many of the buildings were built by one of the most famous architects of the time so much so that instead of calling it 'the city of Pius II' it is could name it “the city of Rosselino”. He was an Italian architect and sculptor. A real artist. One of his works is the splendid Palazzo Piccolomini — at the time a papal residence.

From the small, Renaissance roof garden, which forms the integral part of the building, extends the breathtaking view of the entire Val d'Orcia: fields, vineyards and olive groves.

Pienza is also famous for some gastronomic specialties. The first part of the Rosselino course is dotted with numerous grocery stores where you can buy oil, cold cuts and cheeses including the famous pecorino cheese.

Written by Amanda Walters - Last update: 29/10/2021
This guide has been translated automatically through a third party service. Visititaly offers these automatic translations to help site visitors, however the automatic translations may contain inaccuracies, errors or inaccuracies. You can contact us to report inaccuracies or errors and we will check the translation.

Pienza: other guides

Are you looking for other ideas for sleeping in Pienza?

Hotel Villa Ricci - >Chianciano Terme
Chianciano Terme (12 Km) - Via.Le G. Di Vittorio, 51
Lucciola Bella - >Pienza
Pienza - Loc. La Foce
The farmhouse is situated within the ‘Lucciola Bella’ Nature Riserve, south west of Pienza in a small corner of the typical landscape of the crete senesi. In fact the striking feature of the nature reserve is this unusual landscape of the ‘calanchi’ and ‘biancane’ formed during the last Ice Age. These particular formations are host to important but rare plants and wildlife especially birds. The farmhouse has a long history, it was 1924 when the Marquess Origo bought the farm at ‘La Foce’ along with numerous hectares of land. It was a time when the Val d’Orcia was inhospitable with no forms of vegetation. The Marquess together with his wife undertook an enormous land improvement programme in the area and amongst other things they also built several farmhouses (Lucciola Bella is one ), giving life to a new political and social era. The famous road with its cypress trees which leads to the farmhouse was created by the architect Cecil Pinsent who also designed the villa and the gardens at ‘La Foce’.
Agriturismo La Crociona - >Montalcino
Montalcino (15 Km) - Loc. La Croce, 15
Our holiday farm has been awarded a rating of three "grains" for the completeness of the facilities it offers, all of the finishing touches and the setting, which we are very proud of. Located 2.8km from Montalcino, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and its own wood, it has seven apartments with private covered parking, partially covered terrace, garden furniture, barbecue, umbrellas, shaded garden, private pool, token-operated hot tub for six people, a shop of typical products and conference hall.
Villa San Francesco - >Cetona
Cetona (21 Km) - Loc. Podere S. Francesco
FATTORIA TERRAROSSA - >Montepulciano
Montepulciano (21 Km) - Via Terra Rossa, 20
The Terrarossa farm holiday resort is situated in an of the more beautiful hills of Montepulciano The resort consist of various buildings grouped around the central body of a former monastery, wich was first mentioned in the 11th century. Following a period of careful renovation, there are 8 appealing apartments well furnished in typical Tuscany style and feature every comfort. At Terrarossa guests will find inspiring spaces for reading and relaxing, a beautiful swimming pool, a panoramic terrace, solarium, barbeque with covered area
B/B I Palazzi - >Montepulciano
Montepulciano (21 Km) - Via Palazzi, 1 - Fraz. Valiano
B/B in an ancient watch tower amongst the Tuscan hills, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, private residence of a sculptor. Strategically located at a few km from Cortona, Montepulciano and lake Trasimeno, it is easily connected to the main touristic itineraries of both Tuscany and Umbria. For the guests 4 double rooms, with ensuite bathrooms, a sitting area with books about art and the territory, a hall with a piano, garden with BBQ and pool .Coffee and tea facilities. Small breakfast included, special breakfast with typical local products can be served on request at an extra charge. A baby cot (child 0-2 years) can be added on request. The main feature is art, spread all through the house, thanks to the creativity of the owner, a sculptor who has transformed the house into a very personal atelier. The family will be pleased to show you the amazing view from the tower and will be available to help you with information about the area, the typical trattoria or the local producer where you can buy Vino Nobile di Montepulciano or the best pecorino cheese.
Piccolo Borgo Gagnoni - >Sinalunga
Sinalunga (22 Km) - Calcione, 108 - Fraz. Rigomagno
Piccolo Borgo Gagnoni has everything you need for an ideal dream holiday in Tuscany. Our exclusive holiday estate lies between Siena and Arezzo in a protected nature reserve on the edge of the Crete Senese in Tuscany. The estate is surrounded by a stirring Tuscan landscape with farmland and woods and offers an extensive view of the Val di Chiana in the distance. There are 10 holiday homes with 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms. You can choose the accommodation most suited for your holiday in Tuscany on the basis of a detailed description, accompanying photographs and ground plans on our website www.gagnoni.it .
B&B Palazzo Palesa - >San Casciano dei Bagni
San Casciano dei Bagni (26 Km) - Via G. Carducci, 30 - Fraz. Celle Sul Rigo
Relais Palazzo Palesa is a Renaissance palace, an ancient residence of the Piccolomini and is located in the medieval village of Celle sul Rigo inside the natural park of the Val d'Orcia, an UNESCO heritage site in the municipality of San Casciano dei Bagni, a famous spa town. The Relais offers its guests 6 double rooms furnished with period furniture, which maintain its original frescoes. The organic breakfast is served in the ancient barns which overlook a lovely garden .....
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