Agriturismo Bonello

Morning Beauty

by RoyJava

Make-up artists do have a run of "bad luck" to get up the earliest ones ... we have to wake up the models for make-up time's starting.
Though you could enjoy the spirits with a good cup of coffee, a biscuit and ... a beautiful and breath-taking sunrise. That will do so good to start your day, feelings and emotions ... would it? Caste a glance at pictures of Pienza's sunrises and (!!!) sunsets always are one of the best memories of this wonderful area ... thanks Pienza Tuscany

Sunset Pienza - Tuscany

Montalcino

by sue_stone

Montalcino is a beautiful Tuscan hill town, which sits looking over the Orcia valley, 23km west of Pienza. It is famous for its wine - Brunello di Montalcino, which is one of the best (and most expensive) wines produced in Italy.

We stayed in Montalcino for two nights, tasted our fair share of the local drop and explored the surrounding area. Our hotel room had views across the valley, in fact the early morning view from our window was one of the most stunning I have seen in Italy.

Montalcino really is a lovely town - the landscape around it is gorgeous, and there is that very drinkable wine to consider! It makes a great day trip or half day trip from Pienza.

For more details, check out my Montalcino page.

Palazzo Vescovile

by Cristian_Uluru

The Episcopalian Palace is located on the left side of the square Pio II. The building is known as Palazzo Borgia since in the fourteenth century it was the residence of the cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (who become pope with the name of Alessandro IV) which Pio II had given the preexisting Gothic building. The facade has a beautiful portal, two orders of guelf cross windows and the coat of arms of the family. Today it is center of the Diocesan Museum.

Pienza

by rita_simoes

Pienza was the second stop in our Tuscan trip. Unfortunately, it was raining, so we didn't get to see much of the village - though it is very small. It is a great base to explore the area, and, for me and from what I saw of Italy up until now, it has the most beautiful countryside.

We found the most amazing agriturismo, where we had a wonderful time (and great meal!) We will definitely go back one day, I hope soon.

The perfect city.......

by piccolina

"LA "VIA DEL BACIO" IN PIENZA"

"La piazza del Duomo"

Pienza is a Renaissance city planned by Rossellino – following the will of Pope Pio II, Enea Silvio Piccolomini.The works of Rossellino include the 14th-century cathedral with carved wooden choir, paintings by Vecchietta, Matteo di Giovanni and Sano di Pietro, and Palazzo Piccolomini, inspired by the forms of Palazzo Rucellai in Florence with its ashlar façades. On its three floors the mullioned windows are between pilaster strips, whereas the courtyard emphasizes the Florentine matrix with arched portico on Corinthian columns. Other Palazzi can be seen on the square: the Casa dei Canonici (the vicarage), home of the cathedral museum which contains works from the school of Sodoma, Flemish tapestries of the 15th and16th centuries, 14th-century wooden sculptures and pope Pius II's cope. Then there are the episcopal residence and the town hall. The pensile garden at Palazzo Piccolomini is of interestand fromhere itis possible to view the Val d'Orcia.
An excellent example of romanesque art is Corsignano church, just outside the walls, and then within only a few kilometres of the town one can visit Spedaletto castle in the centre of the valley on the river Orcia and S. Anna in Camprena, an Olivetan monastery built on the site of a former Lombard fort.

"The Map"