Best of European Union » Renaissance town http://www.best-of-european-union.eu Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Pienza – the model of the Renaissance town in the heart of Tuscany, Italy http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2010/10/23/pienza-the-model-of-the-renaissance-town-in-the-heart-of-tuscany-italy/ http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2010/10/23/pienza-the-model-of-the-renaissance-town-in-the-heart-of-tuscany-italy/#comments Sat, 23 Oct 2010 17:03:30 +0000 Julius http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/?p=1425 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 […]

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]]> 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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]]> http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2010/10/23/pienza-the-model-of-the-renaissance-town-in-the-heart-of-tuscany-italy/feed/ 0 Jindřichův Hradec – unique Gothic and Renaissance town in Czech republic http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2010/08/23/jindrichuv-hradec-unique-gothic-and-renaissance-town-in-czech-republic/ http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2010/08/23/jindrichuv-hradec-unique-gothic-and-renaissance-town-in-czech-republic/#comments Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:14:34 +0000 Julius http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/?p=1277 Jindřichův Hradec is an unique Gothic and Renaissance town situated in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, above Vajgar lake. The town is one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Czech republic. Its center has been declared a historical conservation area for its exquisite historical, architectural, and cultural sights. The surrounding […]

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]]> Jindřichův Hradec is an unique Gothic and Renaissance town situated in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic, above Vajgar lake. The town is one of the most significant tourist destinations in the Czech republic. Its center has been declared a historical conservation area for its exquisite historical, architectural, and cultural sights.

The surrounding wooded hills and countless natural lakes provide ideal opportunities for recreation. The Castle is the third largest in Czech republic, after castle in Prague and in Český Krumlov.

Main sights in Jindřichův Hradec

  • Castle and Chateau – The 3rd largest castle complex
  • Medieval Centre
  • Church of the Assumption of our Lady
  • Church of St John the Baptist – 600-year-old extensive decorative frescos
  • Narrow-gauge Railway – only 0,76m wide
  • Mechanical Nativity Scene – The world’s largest mechanized nativity scene
  • National Museum of Photography – The former Jesuit college from 1594
  • District Museum – The former Jesuit seminary


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