Pienza is a small hilltop town in the Val d’Orcia, southeast of Siena, rather than a neighbourhood of the city itself. Its compact historic centre is easy to explore on foot, and its southern edge opens onto a panorama of rolling Tuscan hills, fields and cypress-lined roads.
Once a medieval village called Corsignano, Pienza was transformed in the 15th century by its most famous son, Pope Pius II. He commissioned architect Bernardo Rossellino to recast the centre as an ideal Renaissance city. The result is Piazza Pio II, framed by the cathedral, Palazzo Piccolomini, the town hall and Palazzo Borgia. The historic centre is now UNESCO-listed for its influential example of Renaissance urban planning.
Visit Palazzo Piccolomini and its hanging garden, wander lanes named Via dell’Amore and Via del Bacio, and pause along the town walls for views across the valley. Pienza is also known for its pecorino: cheese shops offer versions ranging from young and mild to firm and well-aged.
Pienza is easiest to reach from Siena by car; park outside the historic centre, where traffic is restricted. Buses are an option, but services can be limited, so check the return timetable in advance. Come early or later in the day to avoid the busiest summer hours, and check opening times before planning a palazzo visit.