Things to do in Pienza

2026 Global 50 - Fall Viewing Attractions

Val d'Orcia

Val d'Orcia is named after the Orcia River. This vast rural area is famous for its rolling hills, rows of cypress trees, vineyards, and olive groves, making it a quintessential Tuscan landscape. The layout of the farmland, the distribution of settlements, and the natural environment form a harmonious and unique order. This view has inspired many artists and became a visual archetype of the ideal pastoral landscape during the Renaissance. Cypress-lined paths, solitary farmhouses on the hills, and the gullies formed by wind and rain erosion in the clay hills are all highly recognizable scenes here. The valley also produces Brunello wine and Pienza Pecorino cheese. Hiking or driving along the Via Francigena through the small towns is a common way to experience the local scenery.

Pienza

Pienza is situated on a ridge in the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany and is a Renaissance town reborn thanks to a pope. Pius II was born here, and after being elected pope, he asked the Florentine architect Bernardo Rossellino to rebuild his hometown according to the Renaissance concept of an "ideal city," and renamed the town Pienza after his own papal name. The trapezoidal Piazza Pio II is surrounded by the cathedral, Palazzo Piccolomini, the Bishop's Palace, and the town hall. Here, the humanist urban ideal was transformed into a complete layout, and the appearance of the old town has been preserved largely as it was. When visiting, feel free to slow down: the cathedral features a rare, bright hall church layout, and it houses altarpieces from the Sienese school; the back of Palazzo Piccolomini faces an Italian garden with a three-story loggia, and from the railing, you can see the rolling wheat fields and cypresses of the Val d'Orcia, as well as Mt Amiata in the distance; the stone well in the square, engraved with the Piccolomini family coat of arms, was once imitated throughout Tuscany. Another signature of the old town is Pecorino cheese, and you can find varieties with different levels of aging in the cheese shops along the street; follow the alleys to the city walls, and you can overlook the entire valley and its countryside.

Chapel Vitaleta

Chapel Vitaleta stands on the rolling hills of the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany, located in the countryside between the towns of San Quirico d'Orcia and Pienza. Its name comes from the cypress trees growing symmetrically on both sides of the church, which look like a pair of pointed elf ears from a distance. Combined with its small, off-white facade, it forms an iconic image of the Tuscan pastoral landscape. This valley is famous for its grassy slopes, farmland, and cypress-lined paths. The church was originally built to enshrine a statue of the Virgin Mary, though the original is now kept in a church in San Quirico d'Orcia. The existing structure is the result of a restoration to its original state after being damaged by an earthquake in the 19th century. The church is primarily visited for its exterior and for photography: what you see from the dirt road is actually the back of the church, and most classic photo spots are on this side. The front entrance is on the other side, and both sides have their own unique charm, making it worth walking all the way around.

Cipressi di San Quirico d'Orcia

The cypresses of San Quirico d'Orcia are one of the defining features of the Val d'Orcia. They stand on the hills overlooking the Via Cascia, which runs through the "Triboli" area to the north of the town of San Quirico. This charming and symbolic cypress forest, dotted among the exposed hills of San Quirico d'Orcia, has given rise to many legends - although its true origins are related to hunting culture: hunters created this "camouflage forest" to attract birds.

Piazza Pio II

Piazza Pius II is a Renaissance-style square located in Pienza, Tuscany, Italy. Commissioned by Pope Pius II, the square is the central landmark of Pienza and embodies the design concept of an ideal city. Surrounded by several important buildings, including the Pienza Cathedral, the Palazzo Pius II and the Town Hall, it is famous for its exquisite facades and harmonious proportions. The open space of the square is a great place to relax and take photos, especially on sunny days. There are several cafes and restaurants nearby that serve local food and drinks, making it an ideal choice for resting and savoring the flavors of Tuscany. In terms of transportation, Piazza Pius II is located in the small town of Pienza, and visitors can take public transportation or drive from Siena or Florence. The town can be easily explored on foot, and it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes for exploration. Piazza Pius II is not only a paradise for architecture lovers, but also a good place to experience Tuscan culture and history.

No. 8 of Best Things to Do in Tuscany

Siena Cathedral

Located in the historical, artistic and cultural center of Siena, the Cathedral is an example of Italian Roman and Gothic churches. As one of the largest churches in Italy, Siena Cathedral is still a church that is not fully completed according to its design. The marble floor in the church depicts history and biblical stories. These 56 floors were completed by many artists. The earliest sculpture was made of white carved marble filled with black stucco. The precious floor is only in Exhibited at certain times of the year. The exterior walls of the building are dominated by stripes of white and dark green marble, and the front is decorated with ornate façade statues, but most of these are replicas, and the originals are kept in the Opera Museum in the cathedral. The stained-glass windows in the cathedral are also very beautiful, but the important one from Duccio di Bonissegna is now in the Opera Museum. The Piccolomini Family Library (Libreria Piccolomini) is another highlight in the cathedral, with a series of frescoes depicting Piccolomini's life, which is very impressive. Next to the library is the Baptistery of St. John (BattisterodiSanGiovanni). The frescoed crypt (Cripta), located below the pulpit, was not discovered until 1999. Cathedral Opera Museum The Cathedral Opera Museum (Museodell'Opera) is one of the earliest private museums in Italy. The location of this church should be the original design of the nave corridor, but because it was not completed, a wall was built into a museum. Many original works of art in the cathedral are collected in the museum, and from here, you can climb the 131 stairs to reach the half-built vertical wall (Panoramadal Facciatone) to enjoy the panoramic view of the whole cathedral. Church masterpieces Some masterpieces in the cathedral: P. Lorenzetti (PietroLorenzetti): "Birthof the Virgin" (Birthof the Virgin), Duccio di Buoninsegna (Ducciodi Buoninsegna): "Sacred Cathedral of Siena" "(Maestà del Duomo di Siena), Donatello (Donatello): "Madonna of Forgiveness", are stored in the Cathedral Opera Museum.

Parco dei Mulini

Piazza Grande a Montepulciano

Antiche Terme Romane Libere

Piscine Termali Theia