- Historic Centre of the City of Pienza - It was in this Tuscan town that Renaissance town-planning concepts were first put into practice after Pope Pius II decided, in 1459, to transform the look of his birthplace. He chose the architect Bernardo Rossellino, who applied the principles of his mentor, Leon Battista Alberti. This new vision of urban space was realized in the superb square known as Piazza Pio II and the buildings around it: the Piccolomini Palace, the Borgia Palace and the cathedral with its pure Renaissance exterior and an interior in the late Gothic style of south German churches.
- All applicable fees and taxes included
- Lunch
- Gratuity
The breathtaking scenery of Val d’Orcia, nestled within the Tuscan hills, earned its spot on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2004. The Val d’Orcia represents a fusion of art and landscape, geographic space and ecosystem, and is a beautiful portrayal of natural features as well as a testament to the generations that have resided there.
As per UNESCO, this valley illustrates an outstanding example of natural landscape reshaped during the Renaissance period, mirroring the values of ‘good governance’ typical of the Italian city-states in the 14th and 15th centuries. The alluring sites of this region were often portrayed by the artists of the Sienese School, which thrived between the 13th and 15th centuries. Thereby, the visuals of Val d’Orcia, especially its landscapes where people are shown living in harmony with nature, have evolved into lasting symbols of the Renaissance period.
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