Pienza Travel Guide

 
by sim1
  •   Pienza
    by sim1
  • Palazzo Piccolomini: the loggia
      Palazzo Piccolomini: the loggia
    by Cristian_Uluru
  • Val D'Orcia
      Val D'Orcia
    by Cristian_Uluru
  • Piazza Pio II
      Piazza Pio II
    by sue_stone
  •   Pienza
    by tomorino

Pro

RoyJava profile photo

 Beautiful landscapes, history, renaissance, picnic-time 


Con

knips profile photo

 None. I love it. 


In a nutshell

myriam_c profile photo

 I lost my heart in Pienza 

 

Explore Pienza

Things to Do  

Places to See, Things to Do

Places to See, Things to Do, Pienza

 Kandise Says:  1-Piazzo Pio II is a square dedicated to Pope Pio II, this also connects the two entrances into the city, "Porta al Ciglio" and "Porta al Murello".2-The Catherdral was designed by Rossellino. The Cathedral was dedicated to the Assumption and built between 1459 & 1462. 3-The... 

Famous David By Michelangelo

Famous David By Michelangelo, Pienza

 RoyJava Says:  DavidMICHELANGELO Buonarroti (1475-1564)1504 - Marble, height 434 cmGalleria dell'Accademia, FlorencePerhaps the most famous statue of a male in the world today is the statue of David by Michelangelo. He didn't create a winner, but the representation of David portrays youth.... 

Palazzo Piccolomini

Palazzo Piccolomini, Pienza

 cjg1 Says:  The Palazzo Piccolomini is right next to the Duomo. The Palazzo was the home of Pope Pius II and his decendants (up till 1968). The palazzo was designed by Rossellino and modeled after the Palazzo Rucellai in Florence.The only part of the palazzo we were able to see were the... 

Duomo of Pienza

Duomo of Pienza, Pienza

 cjg1 Says:  We visited the Duomo with Liz's Aunt and Uncle. Her Aunt is a fan of Rossellino who was the architect. The Duomo is is a bad state of decay with lots of cracks on the walls and floors but the artwork is still beautiful. The stained glass windows are very nice. The stained... 

Piazza Duomo At Pienza

Piazza Duomo At Pienza, Pienza

 RoyJava Says:  See some phantastic monuments in Pienza town, with great success preserved from legendary medieval and renaissance past. One is the Pace Pie 2, part of the fabulous Piazza Duomo with the beautiful altar, special tributed to its architect and sculptor Rossellino, and watch... 

Val D'Orcia

Val D'Orcia, Pienza

 Cristian_Uluru Says:  Coming by car to Pienza is a great experience. From Siena I can suggest to follow the SS2 (Cassia) untill San Quirico D'Orcia. Here you can find the sign Pienza and from there you drive along a scenic route. Enjoy this fantastic Tuscanian landscape!!! 

Chiesa di San Francesco

Chiesa di San Francesco, Pienza

 Cristian_Uluru Says:  The church of St. Francis was built at the end of the twelfth century. The facade is very simple and it has got only a door with oculo. The inside preserve rests of frescos of the thirteenth century, while the decorations of the apse are attirbuited to Cristoforo di... 

Hotels  

San Gregorio (Pienza)

 25 Opinions

Arca di Pienza

 21 Opinions

Restaurants  

Sette di vino: Excellent local cheese and salami

Sette di vino: Excellent local cheese and salami, Pienza

 oriettaIT Says:  This was a great find in Pienza. We went in march and we were lucky to catch some sunny days but it was still cool to sit outside and enjoy our meals. Walking around in Pienza we saw this tiny restaurant with some tables outdoor. It is in a small square, surrounded by tall... 

Agriturismo Poderuccio: Homemade food

Agriturismo Poderuccio: Homemade food, Pienza

 rita_simoes Says:  In Pienza, we stayed in this agriturismo for the night, and decided to take the half board, since we had heard so many wonderful things about tuscan food and we knew that the best places to eat are the agriturismi.They have a little restaurant in the main house, just for the... 

Transportation  

Pienza was not built in a day!

Pienza was not built in a day!, Pienza

 RoyJava Says:  By car: Pienza can be reached from Northerly motorway *Autostrada del Sole* exit Valdichiana and from South via exit Chiusi Chianciano 30 Km.By plane: Pienza - about 250 km from Pisa Airport and 130 km from the Florence Airport.By train: Pienza - about 40 km from the Chiusi... 

Getting to Pienza and parking

Getting to Pienza and parking, Pienza

 sue_stone Says:  Italy has a reputation for crazy drivers, particularly in places like Rome and Naples. As we were not visiting any big cities we decided to brave driving in Italy, and I am pleased to say it all went without a hitch.I must admit that driving in the teaming rain on the... 

Shopping  

Zazzeri: Wine and cheese shop

Zazzeri: Wine and cheese shop, Pienza

 oriettaIT Says:  We knew that Pienza is very famous for its faboulous Pecorino so during our stroll we had our eyes opened to find the best place to buy some cheese. We saw this small shop around a corner and went in. Turned out to be great. All their wine, cheese and salami can be tasted to... 

Shop: Pienza Cheese and Tuscan traditions

Shop: Pienza Cheese and Tuscan traditions, Pienza

 Cristian_Uluru Says:  Pienza is famous for its delicious pecorino of Pienza. Along the street Rossellino you can meet many shops that sell it, the Tuscan specialties, good wine (Montepulciano and Montalcino) and good gastronomic specialties!!!Impossible to withstand!!! 

Local Customs  

Pecorino Cheese

Pecorino Cheese, Pienza

 cjg1 Says:  Pienza is famous for producing Pecorino Cheese. For those not aware, Pecorino Cheese is a sheep's milk cheese with a tangy taste. There are many shops in Pienza proudly displaying and selling this cheese. As soon as you enter the town you smell the cheese in the air. Liz's... 

Gourmet Pienza & Pecorino

Gourmet Pienza & Pecorino, Pienza

 sue_stone Says:  Pienza is a mecca for the gourmet tourist. It has lots of shops stuffed full of delicious offerings, but one thing that you will come across a lot of is pecorino cheese.Pecorino originates from this part of Italy, and you will see it for sale all over Pienza. It can be eaten... 

What to Pack  

September Travel
Kandise profile photo

2 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Kandise 12 reviews
Chicken Dance with Local Children
1 more image

Luggage and bags: Pack light, bring things you can mix and match.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Bring a light jacket with you. The evenings and mornings tend to be a bit chilly, but the afternoons heat up quickly. Shorts and short sleeve shirts are exceptable.

Written Sep 23, 2006

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Off The Beaten Path  

Conservatorio di San Carlo

Conservatorio di San Carlo, Pienza

 Cristian_Uluru Says:  Next to thePorta al Ciglio, in the street St. Charles, there is the ex Conservatory of St. Charles that has been built in the fourteenth century exploiting the walls of the town. Today it is the home of the archaeological museum. 

Montalcino

Montalcino, Pienza

 sue_stone Says:  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... 

Favorites  

Tuscan landscape & Cypress trees

Tuscan landscape & Cypress trees, Pienza

 sue_stone Says:  Tuscany is famous for its stunning scenery, and the area surrounding Pienza certainly lives up to the hype.It looks like a patchwork quilt, made up of vineyards (ripe with fruit when we were there), olive groves, brown fields ready for planting, and those dark green cypress... 

Love is all around you in Pienza

Love is all around you in Pienza, Pienza

 sue_stone Says:  Pienza is a romantic place to visit. Not only is it a pretty little town to explore, but the lovely views from the town walls are the perfect place for a smooch. And to find your way to the walls, why not walk along Via dell'Amore or Via del Bacio, which both run off Corso... 

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Map of Pienza