Pienza – the model of the Renaissance town in the heart of Tuscany, Italy
Pienza is a lovely town, whose small chamber center had been almost totally rebuilt by Pope Pius II. in 15th century. In 1405 in Corsignanu, as Pienza was called at that time, was born Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomini. He later became a leading humanist and philosopher. In 1458 he became pope Pius II, and a year later he decided to change the face and the name of his birthplace.
Florentine architect and sculptor Bernardo Rossellino, was assigned to a cathedral project, the papal palace and town hall (all buildings have been completed within three years from 1459 to 1462). Grandiose plan – to build the model of the Renaissance city has never been realized. Some ideas of how the town could looks, you can see at Palazzo Piccolomini, the former papal palace which served until 1968.
You can see there for example Pius bedroom and library. The main highlight is a stunning panorama, which opens to visitors from the balcony and the arcaded courtyard in the back of the palace.
A pleasant walk, and another amazing spectacle you can enjoy by the village walls.
Pienza is surrounded by nature and it is home to 3,000 inhabitants. It is famous for its cheese production, which you can see everywhere in the town. The cheeses are aged here for several years, stored in underground and are made with different flavors.
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