Pienza Attractions
Penza lies in southeastern Tuscany near the borders of Umbria, some 55km/34mi southeast of Siena and 15km/9mi west of Montepulciano.
History
Pienza owes its position as one of the most charming art towns in Tuscany to one man, Enea Silvio (Aeneas Sylvius) Piccolómini (1405-64), who became Pope as Pius II in 1458. With the help of the architect Bernardo Rossellino he transformed the insignificant village of Corisgnano, in which he had been born, into a model town laid out on clear planning principles. Work began in 1459 and advanced so quickly that three years later, on August 13th 1462, Pius II was able to issue a Bull elevating his birthplace into a town and episcopal see named Pienza (after his Papal name). After Pius's death, however, the development of the town came to a halt.
History
Pienza owes its position as one of the most charming art towns in Tuscany to one man, Enea Silvio (Aeneas Sylvius) Piccolómini (1405-64), who became Pope as Pius II in 1458. With the help of the architect Bernardo Rossellino he transformed the insignificant village of Corisgnano, in which he had been born, into a model town laid out on clear planning principles. Work began in 1459 and advanced so quickly that three years later, on August 13th 1462, Pius II was able to issue a Bull elevating his birthplace into a town and episcopal see named Pienza (after his Papal name). After Pius's death, however, the development of the town came to a halt.
Read More
Piazza Pio II
Pienza's Piazza Pio II is a central gathering point in the city. Buildings surrounding the piazza include the cathedral, Bishop's palace, Palazzo Piccolómini, and the Palazzo Comunale.
Read More
Palazzo Piccolómini
(Piazza Pio II)
The Palazzo Piccolómini is a masterpiece of Rossellino's, which today contains displays of period furniture, weapons, and art.
Monticchiello, Italy
(Near Pienza)
The township of Monticchiello still retains its old walls, towers and castle. The 13th century Church of Santo Leonardo e Cristóforo, with a Gothic facade, contains an altar-piece of the Virgin and Child by Pietro Lorenzetti (c. 1280-1348).
Palazzo Borgia
Palazzo Borgia was the former seat of magistrates and was transformed in to the present building by Cardinal Borgia, the future Alessandro VI.
Pieve Santi Vito e Modesto
1km/0.75mi to the west, outside Pienza, we came to the old Pieve (Parish Church) of Corsignano, in which Enea Silvio Piccolómini was baptized. Built in the 11th-12th century, it has fine figural decoration on the doorways.
Sant'Anna in Camprena
This old monastic house, founded in 1324, notable particularly for its refectory, which has frescoes (1503-07) by Sodoma (real name Giovanni Antonio Bazzi).
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations
