Pienza

Welcome to Pee-en-tsah, a town that the poet Giovanni Pascoli described as being 'born from a dream of love and beauty.' As we stand in the center of this remarkable hilltop settlement, you are witnessing one of the most…

Our exploration begins at Por-tah ahl Moo-rel-loh, also known as Porta al Prato. This is one of the three ancient gates that once guarded the entrance to the city. …

We now stand before the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the spiritual and architectural focal point of Pienza. Consecrated on August 29, 1462, this building is the ultimate expression of Pope Pius II’s eclectic tastes and…

Adjacent to the cathedral stands the magnificent Pah-lat-zo Peek-ko-lo-mee-nee, the residence designed for the Pope and his family. Built on the site of his birth, this palace is one of the first examples of Renaissance domestic…

Directly opposite the cathedral stands the Palazzo Comunale, the seat of civil power in Pienza. This building was the last to be completed in the central square and serves as a fascinating counterpoint to the ecclesiastical…

Leaving the monumental square, we head toward the southern edge of the town to walk along Via del-lah-mo-reh, or Lover’s Lane. This enchanting path winds along the top of Pienza's ancient defensive walls and offers what many…

We conclude our tour by returning to the sensory heart of Pienza: its cheese shops. Pienza is internationally renowned as the 'City of Cheese,' specifically for its Pe-cho-ree-no. …

As we finish our walk through Pee-en-tsah, I hope you carry with you a sense of the 'dream' that built this town. Pope Pius II and his architect Rossellino did not just build a city; they built a vision of what human society…