The rush and thrill of traveling is electric in the bigger cities of Italy. Yet every rush needs a breath of rejuvenation. If you are looking for a lovely and picturesque day, direct your gaze to Italy’s small cities. Within Tuscany, there is a beautiful hilly region called Val d’Orcia. There you will find the small, idyllic city of Pienza.
Tuscany’s Hidden Gem: The Romantic Pienza
Originally named Cosignano, Pienza was reformed to model the ideal Renaissance city. It was Pope Pius II’s humble hometown, and under his bequest, Bernardo Rossellino and Leon Battista Alberti worked to shape it into the place that it is today. The result is historic and charming, like walking into a landscape painting of the perfect Tuscan town.
There are many places to visit within the city that can fit into one day. First, you can find the center of town, Piazzo Pio II. The plaza includes the Town Hall, with its tall tower, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. This cathedral was designed in 1462 by Bernardo Rossellino. It features Sienese altarpieces and Romanesque sculptures. A historic travertine well sits in the center of the square, as well. All of these are within this same square, so it is easy to see them all.
What Else can You see in Pienza?
After you visit the center, you can stop at Pope Pius II’s residence, Palazzo Piccolomini, and walk through the lush, symmetrical garden. The inside is open to the public. You can look at the many portraits in the Hall of the Ancestors. His other rooms are filled with various sculptures, paintings, and furnishing from the 16th century as well. The former Pope even had a library of rare books, documents, and incunabula that guests can see.
Once you have had your fill, you can take a look at the Monastery of San Francesco. This church’s fantastic frescos still remain in its gothic-style interior. Its corridors are a public art exhibition. So, it is an interesting combination of art, architecture, and history. It is a lesser-known part of the city, but definitely worth a visit!
After soaking in the history, soak in the sun along the city’s wall. This path is called Camminata Panoramica. As the name suggests, it gives you a panoramic view of the area inside and outside of the city. This view might have been part of what gave this city a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s list. The whole of Val d’Orca sits on the list, but Pienza first stepped on in 1996. Of course, it is easy to fall in love with its view of the Tuscan hillside on a warm afternoon. A fun fact is that this is also where a scene in Gladiator (2000) was shot.
The street of the Old Town captures that same romantic aura. They have sweet names like Via Dell’ Amore and Via del’ Bacio, which mean love and kiss street respectively. It is in these streets that Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (1968) was shot. Visitors can take a perfect picture of a Tuscan street with greenery and flowers hung on the windows and at their feet. When wondering, you can stop into little local shops. There are cafes, bistros, and cheese shops for any curious guest. Pienza is known for its pecorino cheese, as they are the ones that created it. The tangy taste is said to go great with a glass of wine. We even have a tour that fits all of this into one.
Our private tour takes our guests through Val d’Orca for wine tasting and stops at Montepulciano and Pienza. Montepulciano is a Medieval town in the province of Siena. It is known for its wine and beautiful hilltops. This duo is a perfect match for guests looking for that breath of fresh air. Contact us today to get connected with one of our certified tour guides!
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