The pearl of Tuscany Pienza is an interesting example of medieval town planning . The local "city development plan" is entirely owned by the pontiff Pius II . This Italian Peter I, no matter how sullen, decided to realize his own vision of the ideal city of God - and in the place of the shabby Tuscan village , where the head of the Roman Catholic Church was born, there was an ideally planned Renaissance city - with the direct participation of the Florentine architect Bernardo Rossellino and generous injections from the state treasury us . There was this remarkable and very bold event at that time in 1458, and since then more than five centuries have managed to generously enrich Pienza with numerous luxurious palazzos, majestic cathedral and graceful churches .Since 1995, Pienza has been listed on the UNESCO List, and the flow of tourists here does not stop at any time of the year .

How to get to Pienza

From the largest Italian cities to Pienza the closest Siena - about 75 km. From there, buses go to Pienza 6 times a day, the journey time is about 1, 5 hours, the trip will cost about 6 EUR. "From small", the nearest neighbors of Pienza are Montepulciano and Montalcino. From Montepulciano 8 buses are sent here daily, traveling time is no more than half an hour, the fare is 2 EUR. Between Montalcino and Pienza, there are 10 buses a day, but you will have to make a transfer to Torrenieri, which considerably lengthens the time of your trip.

By rail from Rome or Florence you can reach the town of Chiusi, where you can change the train to Montepulciano (in total 2 h on the road), and from there you can get to Pienza by bus. Also on the bus you can drive straight from Chiusi to Pienza.

Transportation in the city

By Pienza you can easily move around on foot - the town is very tiny, and it is not difficult to overcome distances within its borders. Arriving in Pienza on a rented car, it is worth remembering that the entrance to many areas of the historic center is prohibited and the car will need to be parked in the outskirts of the city.

Hotels Pienza

In Tuscany, agrotourism is very popular, therefore, along with accommodation in city hotels in Pienza, you can live in country hotels that are typical rural farms , "Ennobled" for European tourists . Here you can enjoy a spacious area for walks, delicious breakfasts prepared from farm products, and ample opportunities for outdoor activities: trekking, biking and horseback riding . In the Pienza itself olo 10 hotels, most "starless", there are a couple of "three-stars" at a price of 60 EUR per night in a double room . For a rural-style stay ask a little more - from 90 EUR per person .

Cuisine and restaurants Pienza

Pienza's cuisine in general has a Tuscan character . Most of the dishes here are made from simple, "peasant" ingredients using local condiments and aromatic herbs . Many farms produce their own cheeses (in particular, magnificent pecorino) and wine, so that one and the same dish often differs in taste in different farms, but invariably appetizing . In addition, in the restaurants of Pienza there is always an excellent selection of local wines - brunello, molallino, vernacia and t . d . Among the most cute establishments Latte di Luna from a cozy outdoor terrace, modern Ristorante dal Falco and La Taverna di Re Artu, where you can try the best wine from the surrounding farms . You can dessert at Gelateria Toscana .And if you want to take fresh terroir products with you, be sure to look at the Friday market .

Shopping and shopping

Lazing in Pienza, it would be an inexcusable omission to not take with you at least some of the gastronomic treasures of the region. Meat, of course, to deliver to Russia will not succeed, so all the forces should be thrown at the tasting (and the subsequent purchase) of cheese and wine. Among the must-visit La Taverna del Pecorino and Cuguzi with an astronomical selection of pecorino and other types of cheese, the Maruto e Maria enoteca, the brand store of olive oil Monaci Remo. All of the above is also sold in the "prefabricated" boutique Delizie della Valdorcia.

More Pienza is famous for embroidery and leather products, there are quite good antiques and curious little things for the interior. There are several art salons in the city where you can buy paintings in the style of Renaissance artists and contemporary paintings

Attractions, excursions and attractions Pienza

All the main architectural monuments Pienza is concentrated in the city center . Architects' efforts Bernardo Rossellino during the construction was applied a scheme of rational planning . The plan of urban planning clearly resembles a theatrical scene: in the center of Pia II square, on the sides, like the scenery, the palazzo Picc Lomini - the seat of the pope and his family, the residence of the local bishop - the palazzo Vescovile and the town hall . Here is also the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the main temple of Pienza, whose walls often serve as a backdrop for light and music shows devoted to the city's history . In the interior The cathedral you can see five altar frescoes of the Siena school .

Palazzo Piccolomini can be visited during a 30-minute guided tour - special attention should be paid to the spacious courtyard and the stable for 100 horses adjacent to the complex of buildings. Among other architectural monuments of Pienza, the imposing palazzo of the families of Borgia, Gonzaga, Ammannati, Buonconti and Lolli.

The church of San Francesco is remarkable for its stone façade of Gothic style and frescoes of 14th-century St. Francis.

Piccolomini Gardens are noteworthy for well-groomed alleys and a delightful view of the D'Orcia Valley.

The exposition of the Diocesan Museum includes the remarkable frescoes of the 12th-17th centuries and samples of folk crafts of Pienza, in particular, a good collection of textiles and embroidery.

Events

"Inforata" is a colorful festival-festival, during which the streets of Pienza are decorated with patterns from millions of multi-colored flower petals. The age of masterpieces is short-lived: to the first gusts of the wind, and the spectacle bewitches with its luxurious fragile beauty. Photo Pienza (14)