Piccolomini Gardens

In 1996, UNESCO declared the town a World Heritage Site, and in 2004 the entire valley, the Val d’Orcia, was included on the list of UNESCO’s World Cultural Landscapes.

Pienza owes its beauty and fame to Enea Silvio Piccolomini born in Corsignano on 18 October 1405 and who became Pope in 1458 taking the name Pius II. During the course of his Papacy, he changed the ancient Castello di Corsignano into a Papal residence in the Renaissance style, planned and constructed under the supervision of Bernardo Gambarelli, known as il Rossellino, a student of Leon Battista Alberti, and renamed it Pienza (“Pius”). Il Rossellino was commissioned to build a Duomo, papal palace and town hall, the construction of which was completed in three years.

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Duomo
The Duomo was built in 1459 and although there are cracks in the walls and floor of the nave, the splendid classical proportions remain intact. It is flooded with light from the vast stained glass windows requested by Pius II.

Palazzo Piccolomini
The palazzo is next door to the Duomo and was home to Pius II’s descendants until 1968. Rossellino’s design for the building was influenced by Leon Battista Alberti’s Palazzo Rucellai in Florence. The sections open to the public include Pius II’s bedroom and library. At the rear of the palazzo there is an ornate courtyard and a triple-tiered loggia looking out on the garden. From here there are spectacular views across to the wooded slopes of the Monte Amiata.

Palazzo Borgia
The Palace is the seat of the "Museo Diocesano", one of the most important museums in the province of Siena for the numerous artistic treasures on display.

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Palazzo Comunale: (Town Hall)
Built in 1462 and characterised by an ample portico with Ionic travertine columns, today it is the seat of the local government.

The Church of San Francesco:
It is one of the most ancient Franciscan buildings in Italy, dating back to the 13th century. On the walls is the story of St Francis of Assisi.

Local Events

May "Mille Miglia" historical car race.

July Teatro Povero di Monticchiello; theatre spectacle – devised, written and produced by the local people in the village of Monticchiello.

September Festa del Cacio (Pecorin sheep-cheese feast); Gastronomic festival. It is possible to taste the famous “Pecorino” cheese of Pienza and other local products.

Market Day Friday

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