Pienza, great or not?
 

Hi, <BR> My boyfriend and I are travelling to Pienza (Tuscany) this August. Does anyone know anything about this town we are staying in? We picked it because of the location to Assisi, Perugia, Florence, etc. Thanks in advance for you help!

We stopped in Pienza 2 years ago and it was really charming. It was designed for Pope Pius II in the 15th century to be the perfect Renaissance town. It is quite small and to get around all you will need are your legs! They are also famous for some really great cheese called Pecorino. They flavour it with many different things, try the pecorino with truffles, it's amazing! We wish we could have stayed longer! Don't forget to walk along the Via Della Amore for great views of the surrounding countryside. I don't know if there is much in the way of night life though. Have fun.

ciao mis and cav! <BR> <BR>pienza is very very charming! a small spot in a marvelous countryside. i was there a few weeks ago to visit it with my sister (she lives in switzerland and visited us here in the chianti near florence). and liz is right, they are famous for their peccorino and i personally love it with triffle. i think for relax and have a good spot in the middle of the countryside between florence and assisi/perugia, pienza is the best. just make sure you will have a car, because without it could create you some problems. that's why everyone living in the countryside do have a car ;-) <BR> <BR>merry x-mas and a happy new year and a lot of fun to organize your travel into the most beautiful country! <BR> <BR>ciao! <BR> <BR>christina

I too have wonderful memories of Pienza from a day's visit many years ago. It's a small gem of a town, with a wonderful Renaissance cathedral. The caretaker who was showing us around had been a POW in the US during WW II, liked Americans very much, and loved talking about his town. He told us (who knows if this story is true?) that the pope who built the cathedral put a curse on anyone who changed it. Therefore, it still looks like it did in the Renaissance, unlike most other Italian churches, which have layers and layers of architectural overlays from later periods, especially Baroque. Whatever--it's true that we were impressed by the simplicity of the interior. Enjoy your stay there! I'd love to know if you hear this story about the curse from anyone else.

FYI, Pienza is the town with the church in the movie "The English Patient."

I just got back form Italy last week. one of my favorite hilltowns in Tuscany was Pienza. It is so quaint, small, and centally located. I'm going back in May with my family, and was originally going to stay in Siena (too big) but now have decided on the Pienza area. Great pecorino shops, and near other famous and beautiful wine towns (Montelcino and Montepulicano.) Pienza is also where Romeo & Juliet was filmed. I LOVED it!

Anyone recommend places to stay in this town? <BR>

Hey everyone! <BR> Cavan and I thank you so much for you help! We are thrilled about the town too! For the last responder, we found a small apartment for rent through the web. Your best bet is to do a search for apartments and villas in Tuscany or you can even specify Pienza. Many of the owners are Italian and the exchange rates for lira are really good. Happy Holidays to all and thanks again..Milissa and Cavan

I can suggest you these sites to find more information about Pienza and its zone: <BR>http://www.ctnet.it/home/uk-dinto.htm <BR>and <BR>www.nautilus-mp.com/tuscany/indexing.html <BR> <BR>Happy New Year