Pienza
The Perfect Renaissance Town
ienza was nothing but a small village until 1462 when Pope Pius II, passing again from his birthplace from Rome to Mantua, decided to transform the look of his birthplace into a new concept of what should have been a renaissance city. He chose the architect Bernardo Rossellino, who applied the principles of his mentor Leon Battista Alberti, giving to the city a new vision of urban space that realized 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, represents a rare and delicate balance of both Gothic and Renaissance forms.
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Pienza's civil ceremonies are held in the 15th century Renaissance palace which has an absolutely enchanting loggia on the ground floor. The civil wedding is held in on the first floor in the Council Hall. Its interiors are beautifully furnished with Gothic antiques, heraldry and frescoes with an exceptional view to the Tuscan countryside. This location is ideal for small wedding ceremonies, the maximum number of guests allowed in the Hall being 40. It is also possible to arrange and organize nondenominational weddings in a former cloister as well as religious weddings in the adjacent Church of St. Francis.
Left: A street view of Pius II Church. Below: One of many of Pienza's quaint streets.
Story and photography by Antonio Iabichino