Pienze, Italy is famous for being one of Tuscany’s most romantic hilltop towns. 20 Pienza Italy Photos that show why this UNESCO World Heritage Site should be on your list.

Pienza, Italy is famous for its romantic beauty, being the birthplace of Pope Pius II, near-perfect urban planning, and above all Pecorino di Pienza (cheese!)

Pienza is Nicknamed “the ideal city” and the ‘Renaissance miracle’ because it represents near-perfect Renaissance town planning. What makes Pienza a town to admire? In short, Pope Pius II.

Pienza is the birthplace of Enea Silvio Piccolomini who later became Pope Pius II. In 1458 Pope Pius II ordered his childhood hometown be transformed into the ultimate symbol of the Italian Renaissance. Over the next three years, Pienza witnessed a rebirth.

Evolving from the village formerly known as Corsignano into the ideal Italian Renaissance city of Pienza. The ancient village square was renamed Piazza Pio II and was changed to a trapezoid shape paved with angular bricks seen in the photos above.

Several notable buildings were added during the renovation including Piccolomini Palace, The Borgia Palace, and Cattedrale dell’Assunta.

All of these are seen in the opening scenes of ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ Something any film lover will appreciate while wandering the cobblestone streets and almost 40 buildings inside the walled city.

Pienza became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Pienza Italy Photos

The well pictured above has had more than its 15 minutes of fame thanks to an appearance in both ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘The English Patient’. If you know of another movie I’m missing, please let me know in the comments below! Without further ado, our top 20 pictures of Pienza, Italy.

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Visiting Pienza

Last winter, Paolo and I made our way to Pienza, Italy. A hilltop town in Tuscany not far from Siena. Unbeknownst to us, there was a small exhibit in town celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Franco Zeffirelli’s ‘Romeo and Juliet.’

The movie’s score has been etched in my heart since studying ‘Romeo and Juliet’ in film class many, many years ago.

Walking across Palazzo Piccolomini, I heard a familiar tune, softly spilling into the square. Isn’t that the theme song from ‘Romeo and Juliet’ I wondered. Curious I followed the music through an open doorway.

As my eyes adjusted to the light, I looked up only to realize I was standing in the middle of one of my favorite movie sets. There in the window was Juliet. Or rather a life-sized poster of Olivia Hussey the young actress who played Juliet. The song met its crescendo and I couldn’t help it, I started crying! Franco Zeffirelli’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is one of the most beautiful, romantic tributes to young love ever filmed. The exhibit and the emotion it triggered caught me completely by surprise. Just then Paolo snapped the photo of me below.

Paolo scored major husband points that day. While the exhibit might be gone, Pienza will forever remain one of Tuscany’s most romantic hilltop towns.

Is Pienza Worth Visiting?

Pienza is an unforgettable city because of its near-perfect urban planning, graceful buildings, and charming streets. As with all of our favorite Italian destinations, there is a perfect balance between preservation and the appreciation of time. The patina Italy is known and loved for.

While it’s a small hamlet compared to Florence or Siena, Pienza is a town full of life. Laundry hangs from window lines, cheese shops are inviting and local townspeople stop and talk while crossing the piazza. Because here in Italy, there is always time to say “Buongiorno, come va?”

Furthermore, Pienza is one the best examples of what entices tourists to dream of one day retiring in Italy. I mean, can you imagine perching in a window with your morning cup as church bells ring across this view every day?

I’ll never forget our trip to Pienza, Italy because of my Romeo, Paolo. Thank you for unintentionally bringing me to the heart of one of my favorite movies Amore!

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References

Pienze, Italy Tourism Office