This Renaissance town, rebuilt by Pope Pius II in the 1400s, has preserved its medieval architecture along cobblestone streets and the central Piazza Pio II square.
Pienza sits on a hilltop in Tuscany's Val d'Orcia. You'll find Renaissance architecture in Palazzo Piccolomini, taste local pecorino cheese in family-run shops, and walk past the 15th-century Cathedral with its octagonal bell tower. The town is small enough to cross on foot in under a minute along its main street, Corso Il Rossellino.
Walking Through Pienza's Center
Corso Il Rossellino cuts through Pienza's center and takes less than a minute to walk from end to end. Stop at cheese shops lining both sides of the street to sample pecorino aged anywhere from fresh to 24 months. The side streets lead to quiet lanes where you can eat pici pasta - thick, hand-rolled noodles common in local cooking. Walk down Via dell'Amore (Love Street) and Via del Bacio (Kiss Street), named during Pope Pius II's renovation of the town in the 1400s.
Renaissance Square and Buildings
Piazza Pio II sits at the heart of Pienza, with the cathedral and three palaces forming the town square. The cathedral's facade shows early Renaissance design elements with geometric columns and arches, while its octagonal bell tower rises above the rooftops. Inside Palazzo Piccolomini, you can visit Pope Pius II's private apartments and see the Val d'Orcia from the upper loggia. The Diocesan Museum in Palazzo Borgia contains a collection of medieval textiles and religious art from the 13th to 17th centuries.
Views from the Walls
A 20-minute walk along Pienza's walls reveals multiple viewpoints of the valley. From the southern section, you can see Monte Amiata mountain and the patchwork of fields and farmhouses below. The best time for photography is during sunset, when the light falls directly on the surrounding hills and buildings. Several benches along the wall path let you rest and take in the scenery.
Local Food Scene
Sheep graze in the pastures around Pienza, producing milk for the town's pecorino cheese. Each aging period - from 30 days to two years - creates different textures and flavors. Local restaurants serve pici all'aglione (pasta with garlic sauce) and dishes featuring pecorino. The Friday market brings farmers selling produce and regional foods from the surrounding countryside.
Getting Around and When to Visit
A car gives you the freedom to explore nearby towns like Montepulciano (15 km away) and Montalcino (23 km away). Visit in spring to see wildflowers in the valley, or in fall to watch the grape and olive harvests. Most shops and restaurants close during January and February. The September Cheese Fair fills the streets with food stalls and includes the town's cheese-rolling competition.
