The town stands on the top of a hill which overlooks the splendid Val d’Orcia.

Enea Silvio Piccolomini was born here in 1405 and when he became pope Pius II in 1458 he decided to transform his modest village into the perfect town, an admirable example of the humanistic period, and entrusted the design to Bernardo Rossellino.

Piazza Pio II is intact, incorporanting the most rigorous of Renaissance perspective, and containing the cathedral and Palazzo Piccolomini. The town’s main axis is corso Rossellino, lined with houses built by the nobility in the 14th century. Pienza is a mainly agricultural centre, particularly famous for its pecorino cheese.
The traditional cheese show, “fiera del cacio” takes place on the first Sunday in September. The flower show “Pienza e i fiori” takes place in mid May.

Also to be visited is Monticchiello, made famous by its “Teatro povero”, a new play anacted each summer by the local inhabitants.