PIENZA
toscana
THE CATHEDRAL AND HISTORICAL BUILDINGS
Situated in the hearth of the old town of Pienza, Piazza Pio II is an excellent example of Pope Pius II's Humanist ideals of Renaissance architecture according to the rules of Vetruvius. Pope Pius II commissioned Bernardo Rossellino to design the square together with the splendid buildings which surround it and they were built between 1459-62. The renown "domus vitrea", has an interesting Classical façade while the interior is in Gothic style and houses important works of art by illustrious artists such as Giovanni di Paolo, Matteo di Giovanni, the Vecchietta, and Sano di Pietro, in the apse are fine wooden choir stalss in gothic style. Below the Cathedral is the crypt of San Giovanni with a baptismal font by Rossellino. The foundations of the cathedral were realised at the beginning of the 1900's to consolidate the structure of the cathedral. The "Museo Diocesano", which has recently been opened in the "Palazzo Vescovile" ("Palazzo Borgia") contains marvellous 15th and 16th century Flemish tapestries, painted panels and wooden sculptures by Bartolo di Fredi, the Vecchietta, the "Maestro dell'Osservanza", illuminated choir books with miniatures by Sano di Pietro and Pellegrino di Mariano, a finely sculptured, embossed crucifix of the 14th century and the famous cope of Pius II in Opus Anglicanum, finely embroidered in gold thread with over 150 figures. In the majestic "Palazzo Piccolomini", the papal residence is another museum where you can visit the arm's room, the Pope's bedroom, the library and a show case of medals belonging to Pius II and Pius III. The beautiful Loggia overlooks the Hanging Garden one of the first of this style in Europe. On the east side of the square is the "Palazzo Civico", also realised by Rossellino and in a perfect harmony with the surrounding architecture of the square. In Corso Il Rossellino, is the early Gothic Church of St. Francesco with some painted panels of the school of Duccio Boninsegna, some 14th and 15th century frescoes, a Madonna attributed to Luca Signorelli and paintings by Matteo Balducci and Ugolino Lorenzetti. The wooden Crucifix by the "Maestro di San Pietro in Rosso" has been moved to the Museo Diocesano.
The Palazzi Ammannati, Gonzaga and Cardinale Atrebatense complete this remarkable example of Renaissance town planning. From Via del Casello you can enjoy splendid views over the Val D'Orcia, Monte Amiata, in the distance to the left the fortress of Radicofani strikingly set on a basaltic hill and to the right, situated on a hillock, the town of Montalcino. Walking through the narrow streets you can discover delightful squares and buildings: the "case nuove" or new houses of Pius II, a quarter built to house the families who were moved to build the Papal palaces; the "conservatorio" San Carlo, an old fortress converted into a religious institute; the Gozzante quarter, the oldest part of the village with small houses built on sandstone rock which overlook the Val D'Orcia. Take the road Via delle Fonti and in a few minutes you arrive at the parish church or "Pieve" of Corsignano. Situated in a peaceful, rural position this beautiful example of Romanesque architecture has played an important role in understanding the history and origin of Pienza. There are two fine portals embellished by vegetal motifs and figures carved by stonemasons of that time, an interesting cylindrical bell tower and a tiny crypt below the presbytery.
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