Pienza

The UNESCO-listed village of Pienza, nestled in the heart of Tuscany, was once a quiet hamlet known as Corsignano. Its transformation into an ideal Renaissance city began in the 15th century under the vision of Pope Pius II, who commissioned architect Bernardo Rossellino to redesign his hometown. Today, visitors can explore the town’s well-preserved architecture, including elegant palaces and churches that showcase the harmonious urban planning and aesthetic ideals of the Renaissance. The compact layout invites strolls through narrow, winding streets, leading to open piazzas and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.