Pienza, the ideal UNESCO heritage city

Pienza - When we talk about the 'ideal city' in the Renaissance, Pienza is mentioned. The small village, located in the Val d'Orcia, was originally called Corsignano and was chosen as a test bench to create a perfect center according to the urban logic of humanism. The man behind this great vision is Enea Silvio Piccolomini, the future Pope Pius II.

The experiment, entrusted in practice to the architect Bernardo Rossellino, gives us a truly perfect village, starting with the Gothic-style cathedral of Pienza, the co-cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. The church overlooks the heart of the city, Piazza Pio II. This place offers home to the other key buildings of the city, true masterpieces of urban planning: Palazzo Piccolomini, Palazzo Vescovile and Palazzo Comunale di Pienza, all places worthy of a visit for their intrinsic architectural and aesthetic qualities. Walking through the alleys of the city is a vibrant experience: the road network has its heart according to the Roman criterion that imposes two directions, one that cuts the city from north to south (cardus) and one from east to west (decumanus). Walking along these streets is made pleasant not only by the rustic views, but also by the climate of the village. In fact, it corresponds to the canons required by an ideal Renaissance city: perfect exposure to the sun and wind, perfect humidity and geographical location. You can enjoy the panorama of the Val d'Orcia along Via del Castello, the belvedere of the city. A stop in Pienza is a must to try its native pecorino and panforte, which is celebrated during the Christmas period on the occasion of the Gioco del Panforte, a recently rediscovered ancient event. Attending such an event gives a vision of the peasant and rural heart of this wonderful town.