The pope's palace in Pienza
Built in the 15th century, the palazzo is next door to the Duomo and was home to Pius II’s descendants until 1968! Rossellino's design for the palace was influenced by Leon Battista Alberti’s Palazzo Rucellai in Florence.
The apartments open to the public include Pius II’s bedroom and library which are full of his personal possessions. The small hanging garden (below) is surrounded by tall ivy-covered stone walls on three sides and by a three-rows-arches loggia on the fourth side facing the palace. The small terraced area dominates the entire Orcia valley and wooded slopes of the volcano, Mt. Amiata in the distance.
Palazzo Piccolomini
Piazza Pio II
53026 Pienza (SI)
Tuscany / Val d’Orcia
Italy
tel: +39-0577-286300
Open: Tuesday to Sunday.
There is an admission charge.
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