Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Peru
Uruguay
Germany
Belgium
Spain
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Ireland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
Switzerland
Village · Siena, Toscana
Pienza
Small town in the Val d'Orcia redesigned in the 15th century by Pope Pio II as an ideal Renaissance town, with wide views over the hills and a tradition of pecorino cheese.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Pienza
Pienza lies in the Val d'Orcia, about 55 km by road from Siena. It used to be a small village called Corsignano, where Enea Silvio Piccolomini was born. Elected pope as Pius II, he ordered the town rebuilt between 1459 and 1462, to designs by the architect Bernardo Rossellino, and gave it his own name.
The result is the Piazza Pio II, a Renaissance ensemble planned all at once: the cathedral, the Palazzo Piccolomini (the pope's residence), the Palazzo Vescovile and the Palazzo Comunale. The historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Behind the cathedral and the palace, the city wall opens onto the Val d'Orcia, and the street that runs along it is a continuous viewpoint.
The Val d'Orcia, also a World Heritage Site, is the landscape of gentle hills, cypress-lined roads and isolated farmhouses that appears in many images of Tuscany. Pienza is also known for pecorino, the sheep's-milk cheese, sold in the shops on the main street, the Corso Rossellino.
The town is small and can be explored on foot in a short time. Many visitors combine it with Montalcino and Montepulciano on the same day by car.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From one and a half to two hours, or half a day with lunch.
Best time
April to June and September to October, with green hills in spring and golden tones at the end of summer. Late afternoon usually gives the best light over the valley.
How to get there
By car, about 1 hour from Siena. There are buses from Siena with few departures per day. Park in the lots outside the center, which has a ZTL.
Tip
Walk along the street beside the city wall, behind the cathedral, to view the valley. Between Pienza and San Quirico d'Orcia lie some of the most photographed cypress-lined roads in the region.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Pienza
Why is Pienza special?
It's a Renaissance town planned by Pope Pius II in the 15th century, with the square and palaces designed as a unit. The centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Can you go to Pienza without a car?
Yes, by bus from Siena, but schedules are limited. To combine Pienza with Montalcino and Montepulciano in one day, a car is much more practical.
What is the pecorino from Pienza?
It's the sheep's-milk cheese produced in the region, sold fresh or aged in shops in the town centre.
Where can you see the landscapes of the Val d'Orcia?
From Pienza’s own walls and along the roads between Pienza, San Quirico d'Orcia and Montalcino, with rolling hills, cypresses and farmhouses.