looking out from Pienza
Pienza, high on a hill above the Val d’Orcia in glorious Tuscany, is the birth place in 1405 of Enea Silvio Piccolomini, who became Pope Pius II. The town was originally called Corsignano, but Pope Pius was keen to create a monument to himself. Pienza means “City of Pius” and was chosen as a good omen. The Pope chose Florentine architect Bernado Rossellino to recreate the perfect city as ” a lasting sign of his origin”.
Palazzo Comunale
The city was built around a central square. The Palazzo Comunale, the Piccolomini Palazzo, Palazzo Vescovile and the cathedral surround the square. The Piccolomini Palace, the former papal palace continued to be inhabitited by the Pope’s descendants until 1968.
cathedral (left) and the Piccolomini Palace
in front of the Palazzo Piccolomini
The Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta is a three-nave church with a very impressive interior.
Cattedrale Santa Maria Asunta from Pienza' s wall
Make sure you take a look inside.
inside the church
a closer look
a pretty ceiling
Pienza is famous for pecorino cheese and the world’s luckiest sheep can be seen chewing grass on the beautiful hills surrounding the town. There are several specialist shops in the town selling cheese and other delicious delights from the area.
advertising its wares
Pienza is a delightful little town with beautifully cared for streets and welcoming shops full of good things.
a pretty Pienza street
a Pienza enoteca
We had lunch at Trattoria Latte di Luna at 2 Via San Carlo.
Trattoria Latte di Luna
All of our meals were excellent, but I think I won with my maialino (suckling pig) with white beans.
my delicious lunch
After lunch we wandered through the pretty streets of Pienza. The town is quite small, but there is lots to see.
a lovely doorway
Pienza petunias
an inviting enoteca
another interesting shop
rhododendrons on the way out
Pienza is in a spectacular part of Tuscany – don’t miss it. The town is a realtively easy drive from Bagni di Lucca and we do it often. We usually go via Asciano because of the spectacular scenery and stop in Siena, Montalcino or Montepulciano as well.
a view from Pienza
Thanks so much for your posts… it’s such a delicious moment to escape in/too one of them, without having to spend the Euro/Lira? : )
By: michael sean symonds on August 8, 2011
at 12:55 am
Thank you for stopping by. At least we have a good exchange with the euro for now.
By: bagnidilucca on August 8, 2011
at 1:27 am
We bought THE BEST soft Pecorino cheese in Pienza. Drizzled with some Truffle Honey FANTASTICO! Amazing pictures!
By: Denise Blackman on August 8, 2011
at 1:24 am
I wouldn’t mind some of that pecorino right now – with the honey – yum!
By: bagnidilucca on August 8, 2011
at 1:28 am
WOW!!!
By: Leandro on August 8, 2011
at 1:57 am
Yes, Pienza is very beautiful.
By: bagnidilucca on August 8, 2011
at 4:55 am
It’s always satisfying to look around your table companions meals and think “yes, I sooo picked the best one!”… I think you did too.
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on August 8, 2011
at 2:51 am
At the risk of sounding a little smug, it is good.
By: bagnidilucca on August 8, 2011
at 4:56 am
Gorgeous – Deb – I need a visit
By: Liz Litzow on August 8, 2011
at 3:02 am
I’m sure that can be arranged.
By: bagnidilucca on August 8, 2011
at 4:56 am
Looks so beautiful with all the little details!
By: Minna on August 8, 2011
at 3:55 am
Pienza is full of gorgeous little details. You could spend days there.
By: bagnidilucca on August 8, 2011
at 4:57 am
Very interesting, Debra, thank you once again. We have not visited Pienza, but it is now on our list… The Piccolomini family has some most interesting members, including two Popes. Some of them live in Spain as well. Here is some information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piccolomini
By: Mulino Dominillo on August 8, 2011
at 6:30 am
Thanks for the Piccolomini link. I think it is an interesting family. I love the Piccolomini library in Siena.
By: bagnidilucca on August 8, 2011
at 8:10 am
Great post and pics. Thanks for this. I added a link to it on the ‘travel page’ of my blog since it is a very easy day trip from us near Monte San Savino. Next time you come this way please stop by.
By: Martha on August 8, 2011
at 7:36 am
I have seen Monte San Savino from the car. I have always wanted to call in. Thanks for the invitation and the link.
By: bagnidilucca on August 8, 2011
at 8:07 am
Oh, thank you ever so much… Here in the central San Francisco Bay Area we are suffering our “Scandinavian Summer” (all grey skies and cold air with the heater on full blast) and I needed a summer fix, your wonderful photos has brought the wanted sunshine into my day, just looking at your wonderful photos puts a big smile on my face, again, thank you. You are a true artist with the camera, a true artist!
By: Gian Banchero on August 8, 2011
at 8:00 am
Thank you for your kind words. I’ve been to San Francisco – I loved it! I hope the weather gets better for you.
By: bagnidilucca on August 8, 2011
at 8:06 am
What a lovely town. The ceiling inside the church is stunning, truly stunning! Thanks for sharing the peaceful place to eat, as well. Great post, Debra!
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on August 8, 2011
at 11:49 am
Thank you. Pienza is one of the places we keep going back to. I really must try a few new towns in the area.
By: bagnidilucca on August 8, 2011
at 1:10 pm
Your lunch looks amazing and the town is just perfect.
By: paninigirl on August 8, 2011
at 2:35 pm
My lunch was delicious. The restaurant was packed, we were lucky to find a table. It was still a bit too cool to sit outside.
By: bagnidilucca on August 8, 2011
at 8:42 pm
this is one beautiful town.
By: george miori on August 8, 2011
at 9:45 pm
Gorgeous pictures! Ahhh….I wish I could dive right into the post and be in Italy!
By: thirdeyemom on August 9, 2011
at 6:27 pm
You would love Pienza. It is in a stunning location and the town itself is gorgeous.
By: bagnidilucca on August 9, 2011
at 7:21 pm
Cia Bella Deb – Great to meet you last week and look forward to catching up again soon ….maybe in Montalcino in late October. We love and visit Pienza regularly so would love to try your maialino – do you have the name of the restaurant? ci vediamo Carolyna
By: Anonymous on August 10, 2011
at 4:00 am
Hi Carolyna, I would love to come to Montalcino for the Sagra in October. The restaurant in Pienza was Trattoria Latte di Luna at Via San Carlo 2 – at the end of the main street- or the beginning depending which way to enter the village.
By: bagnidilucca on August 10, 2011
at 5:25 am
There’s always so much to see and do in Italy isn’t there! Your lunch looks delicious-I’m glad I’m off to have some Italian food tonight! 😉
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on August 10, 2011
at 7:28 am
Lucky you!
By: bagnidilucca on August 10, 2011
at 7:35 am
What a beautiful place to visit!
By: Lu on August 12, 2011
at 7:53 am
Pienza is gorgeous and is set in the most beautiful part of Tuscany.
By: bagnidilucca on August 12, 2011
at 10:14 am
Beautiful!
By: scubas on November 7, 2011
at 7:02 pm
[…] we can. along the road to Asciano Click here to see more of the spectacular drive to Asciano and here to see Pienza and here to see Volterra. Our house in Vergemoli is coming along, thanks to our […]
By: Looking back over 2011 « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on December 30, 2011
at 5:22 am
[…] Pienza is a tiny town, once again high above the plains surrounding it. Pope Pius II recreated the town as a perfect monument to himself. He chose Florentine architect Bernado Rossellino to good effect…the town is delightful. […]
By: Places to go | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on January 20, 2014
at 9:53 pm
[…] Pienza (image credit) is reportedly one of the more beautiful towns in Tuscany. A big claim in a region comprised of picturesque little hamlets. Read more at Bagni di Lucca and Beyond […]
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