Pienza is a little jewel standing in Tuscany’s crown, in the wonderful Val d’Orcia. Thanks to their beautiful landscape, they both have become UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Pienza is also one of 184 Italian small towns awarded with the "Bandiera Arancione" (Orange Flag) for excellency in tourism, hospitality and the environment.

The town of Pienza was built on an ancient village (Corsignano) by command of a well-known citizen, Enea Silvio Piccolomini, a humanist of the Renaissance who was later nominated Pope.

As a matter of fact, the future Pope Pio 2nd, in 1459 decided to transform his hometown with the help of the most famous architect of the time, Leon Battista Alberti, by applying the concepts of harmonic urbanization in humanistic style.

The realization of the project was then commissioned to the architect Bernardo Rossellino and in a few years a charming suburb was born, with a central square (Piazza Pio II) where stands a Renaissance cathedral, the bishop palace, the City Hall and the Piccolomini Palace.

Unfortunately, when Enea Piccolomini died, the works stopped but still today it is one of the most important examples of urban planning of the Renaissance.

For wine and good cuisine lovers, Pienza is a paradise: we suggest you to taste the excellent Pecorino of Pienza (sheep milk cheese) and the cold cuts of the area, together with – why not? – a good wine of Val d’Orcia: Montalcino or Montepulciano.

Traditional events: Palio del cacio fuso, taking place the first week of September. It is a traditional contest in which 6 teams compete and have to throw the cacio (cheese) pointing at the closest circle to the spindle placed in the centre of the Square Pio II.

From Pienza it’s possible to reach Siena by bus (5 busses a day everyday but on Sunday, it takes 1 hour and a half) and Montepulciano (8 busses a day, 30 minutes). Tickets are available at each newsstand and coffee bars selling also cigarettes, or when you’re on board with a small extra charge.