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PienzaPienza, the only town nearby Siena whose birth is clearly known, was built, on a town plan, for want of Pope Pius II - Enea Silvio Piccolomini – in 1558. Part of the UNESCO’s heritage, this enchanting Renaissance village is surrounded by the Val d'Orcia, looking, on the eastern-side, at the Mount of Cortona and the three lakes (Trasimeno, Chiusi and Montepulciano); on the southern-side, at the Mount Amiata; overlooking Torrita, Asciano, St Giovanni d'Asso and the Chianti hills. Pienza got the name from Pope Pius II, that strongly wanted this elegant hamlet as place of rest, for him and his entire court. Thanks to the special position, this lovely town (once called Corsignano) has been greatly important during the wars that involved, in Tuscany, the Medicean and Imperial armies against the French ones, along with the Republic of Siena in Montalcino (1550-60). Pienza was predated fifteen times. When Pius II ascended the pontifical throne, he commissioned the Florentine architect and sculptor, Bernardo Rossellino, to renew and transform the town planning of the ancient, impoverished hamlet of Corsignano, into the charming Renaissance village of Pienza. Later on, the precious papal treasures got unfortunately stolen from the Napoleonic army. Around the main Piazza, you will find the Duomo, Palazzo Piccolomini, Palazzo Borgia and Palazzo dei Priori... you should definitely spend at least one day to visit all these marvels! Other houses and buildings were subsequently built nearby the central ones. Every house has been tastefully made using materials allied to the constructions of Rossellino, under the supervision of the architect Pietro Paolo del Porrina, from Siena. If you are keen on trekking and cycling, Pienza is the perfect place where you can start to discovering the lovely "Parco della Val d’Orcia" and easily reach many little "jewels", like: San Quirco, Montalcino, Bagno Vignoni, Montefollonico and Radicofani. The local food and wine are just delicious, able to satisfy even the most particular palates. Take note and, once there, try to taste... Wines: Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino Other towns in the area: Arezzo, Asciano, Badia a Ruoti, Badia Agnano, Bagni di Lucca, Barberino Val d'Elsa, Bucine, Campo nell'Elba, Camucia di Cortona, Carrara, Casciana Terme, Casole d'Elsa, Castelfiorentino, Castellina in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Castiglion Fiorentino, Castiglioncello, Certaldo, Cetona, Chianciano Terme, Chiusi, Civitella della Chiana, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Cortona, Empoli, Fabbrica di Peccioli, Figline Valdarno, Florence, Foiano della Chiana, Forte dei Marmi, Gaiole in Chianti, Gambassi Terme, Ghizzano, Grassina, Greve in Chianti, Grosseto, Iesa Palazzo, Impruneta, Lamporecchio, Laterina , Livorno, Loro Ciuffenna, Lucca, Lucignano, Marciano della Chiana, Marina di Grosseto, Empoli, Masotti, Massa, Moggiona, Molazzana, Monsummano Terme, Montaione, Montalcino, Monte San Savino, Montecatini-Terme, Montefollonico, Montelopio, Montepulciano, Monterchi, Monteriggioni, Montevarchi, Montisi, Nievole, Panzano in Chianti, Pian di Sco', Pietrasanta, Pieve Fosciana, Pisa, Pistoia, Pitigliano, Poggibonsi, Pontassieve, Poppi, Porciano di Lamporecchio, Porciano di Stia, Pozzo della Chiana, Prato, Radda in Chianti, Radicofani, Rapolano Terme, Reggello, Rignano sull'Arno, Rigomagno, Riparbella, Rosignano Solvay, San Baronto, San Casciano dei Bagni, San Casciano in Val di Pesa, San Gimignano, San Giuliano Terme, San Miniato, San Quirico d'Orcia, Sarteano, Saturnia, Scandicci, Segromigno in Monte, Seravezza, Serre di Rapolano, Sieci, Siena, Sinalunga, Sorano, Staggia Senese, Subbiano, Tirrenia, Torre del Lago Puccini, Torrita di Siena, Trequanda, Vagliagli, Viareggio, Vinci, VolterraYou might also be interested in reading about the following Pienza topics:
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