Always defined by the ‘ideal city’, the ‘city of Utopia’. Considered in the Renaissance as a perfect example of urban construction, the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Defined from time to time, the ‘ideal city‘, the ‘city of Utopia’, it is now one of the concrete construction methods through which in the Renaissance was an attempt to create a model of life, making an ‘idea of a city that was able to give concrete answers to the desire for peaceful civil coexistence” . The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Very famous is the Pecorino di Pienza, a typical local cheese. Just 1 hour and 30 minutes from Monti 1824 ( 80 km).
Pienza is a medium-small village situated in the beautiful Val d’Orcia, in the southern Tuscany. Its name was originated by Pope Pius II, born here, and it means the city of Pius. The construction of Pienza started around at the middle of XIV century.With the death of the Pope Pius II the urban reorganization was stopped and it is remained remained unchanged up to our days.
Pienza is without any doubt a a terrific example of Renaissance architecture.
The square “Piazza Pio II “ is the heart of Pienza since all main monuments are located on this square. The cathedral tower over all the other buildings , is the highest pont od the town ( as Pope Pio II strongly wanted) . Another beautiful building on the square is Palazzo Piccolomini, designed by the Rossellino , a great architect and sculptist that was inspired to realize this masterpiece by Palazzo Rucellai in Florence. Palazzo Borgia is another gem that you can admire on this square.Pienza is located in the heart of Val d’Orcia,surrounded by many magical hills…source of inspiration for many poets and artists.
Pienza is famous also for its “ pecorino” cheese , a real Tuscan product created with aromatic milk of this territory. In September the city celebrates this wonderful product with the Festival of Pecorino.