Palazzo Piccolomini in Pienza: its history and characteristics

Palazzo Piccolomini in Pienza is located in the historic centre of the city, next to the Duomo. It is a magnificent Renaissance building, also known as the Pontifical Palace because of who commissioned it. Let’s find out about its history and characteristics.

What is the history of Palazzo Piccolomini?

The building was commissioned by Enea Piccolomini, also known as Pope Pius II, who was born in Pienza, as his summer residence.

The design was entrusted to the architect Bernardo Rossellino as part of the larger project to reconstruct Pienza as an ideal city. Construction began in 1459 and was inspired by Palazzo Rucellai in Florence, designed by Leon Battista Alberti, Rossellino’s teacher.

Palazzo Piccolomini, considered the first example of Renaissance architecture, was completed in just a few years of work.

Enea Piccolomini was an intellectual and had conceived the idea of creating an ideal city in his hometown of Pienza, inspired by humanistic principles.

Under his direction, the entire city was redesigned in just three years, and in addition to the construction of his residence, the square and town hall were also built.

The city, originally named Corsignano, was renamed Pienza, or the city of Pius.

What are the characteristics of Palazzo Piccolomini?

The building has a square layout and three floors. The façade is in ‘pietra viva’ (rough-hewn stone) with ashlar work, and bears the coats of arms of the Piccolomini family and the insignia of the Apostles.

The large windows on the first and second floors are accentuated by pilasters and are divided in two by a column.

The beautiful inner courtyard has a square layout and has a portico and a loggia supported by stone columns.

The garden

One particularly fascinating element is the hanging garden. Although small, it has a unique setting: it’s a sort of terrace overlooking the entire Val d’Orcia, offering a spectacular view and representing a perfect example of a Renaissance-style garden.

On the side adjacent to the palace, the garden is bordered by a loggia with three rows of arches, while on the other three sides it is bordered by ivy-covered walls.

The garden has flowerbeds, box hedges, gravel paths, bushes, fruit trees, a central fountain and an octagonal well, all built according to precise geometric rules.

The palace was inhabited by the Piccolomini family until 1962 and the interior still has the original furniture, paintings and furnishings, as well as the rooms of Pius II.

Article translated by Jasmina Towers

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