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Pienza

Pienza, Italy

History

A small Tuscan town rebuilt in the Renaissance as an ideal village, with a harmonious central square and a belvedere over the Val d'Orcia. Try the local pecorino from the shops along the main street.

Pienza is the creation of Pope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini in this very town. From 1459 he had it rebuilt as a Renaissance town, designed by Bernardo Rossellino, who applied the principles of his mentor Leon Battista Alberti. The centre is the trapezoidal Piazza Pio II, laid out between 1459 and 1462. It is framed by the cathedral, Palazzo Piccolomini, Palazzo Borgia and the town hall. The cathedral has a travertine façade. UNESCO inscribed the town on the World Heritage List in 1996 as the first application of the Renaissance humanist concept of urban design.

Pienza lies in the province of Siena, in the Val d'Orcia. The square is paved in brick and shows how consistently the plan was carried out.

Nearest town
Pienza, Italy
Category
History & culture
GPS
43.0766, 11.6787

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Getting there

  • Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.

Sources

Nearby

Campsites nearby

  • Podere il CasaleCampsite
    3 km from Pienza
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
  • Camping Il TreccoloCampsite
    11 km from Pienza
    TentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWi-Fi
  • Parco delle PiscineCampsite
    18 km from Pienza
    TentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityNo dogsWi-Fi
  • Agricamping "I Chiari"Motorhome stopover
    19 km from Pienza
    MotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
  • La Lappola AgriturismoCampsite
    22 km from Pienza
    TentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDogs allowedWi-FiFree
  • Area sosta camper Il ChiaroCampsite
    23 km from Pienza
    TentsMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed

All campsites in Italy · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Pienza?

Pienza is in Pienza, Italy, at GPS 43.0766, 11.6787. It is about 6 km from San Quirico d’Orcia.

Can you camp near Pienza?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Parcheggio Mencatelli - Pienza, about 0 km away; within 25 km there are 30 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

What is there to see near Pienza?

Places worth a stop nearby: Val d'Orcia cypresses (6 km), Bagno Vignoni (7 km), San Biagio church (8 km) and Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore (15 km).

When is the best time to visit Pienza?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)