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PIENZA
Another
destination which you can not miss in the neighbourhood of Siena
is Pienza, the ideal Renaissance town. Balance, harmony and
sober elegance characterise the town designed by the most important
Florentine architects in the 15th century, who were convinced that
man was the centre in the Universe and wanted to build the perfect
town for man. It was Pope Pius II, (his real name was Enea Silvio
Piccolomini), who wanted to restructure his hometown where he was
born in 1405 according the theories elaborated by Leon Battista
Alberti.
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The Pienza project was carried out by Bernardo Rossellino,
a collaborator to Alberti. You enter Pienza from the Porta a Prato
which introduces you to main street of Pienza lined with the Gothic
church San Francesco, built in the 13th century, the Palazzo Ammannati
and many workshops which propose excellent local products, such as
the famous pecorino cheese of Pienza. The square dedicated to the
mind behind the building of Pienza, Piazza Pio II, is the monumental
centre of the town and features a marvellous fishbone-shaped brick-pavement.
In the square you also find the Palazzo Piccolomini and the Palazzo
Comunale.
In the centre of the square there is a marvellous well and
the Cathedral dedicated to the Assunta, with a travertine façade
and a majestic bell-tower. Inside it features masterpieces of holy
art commissioned by Pope Pius II, such as the Madonna con Bambino
and Santi di Giovanni di Paolo, made by del Vecchietta and Matteo
di Giovanni, and the font by Rossellino. Palazzo Piccolomini, designed
by Rossellino according to the style of the Florentine palaces, has
an ashlar façade and houses a big collection of antique furniture,
artworks, relics and a vast library. From the arcades built at the
back you can admire a exceptional view over the Val d'Orcia. The palazzo
Vescovile hosts the Museo Diocesano, with works from the Cathedral
and other churches of the town, such as furniture, vestments and paintings
from the Sienese school. The Porta al Ciglio opens a panoramic itinerary
which ends at the main square, while from the Porta al Prato you reach
the hermit caves, suggestive remains of the ancient hermitage built
in the cave and where the hermits lived between the 10th and 18th
century. A short walk outside the centre of Pienza leads you to the
Pieve di Corsignano, a Romanesque pearl from the 11th century where
Enea Silvio Poccolomini was baptised. |
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