Palazzo Piccolomini, Pienza

Palazzo Piccolomini is a quintessential Renaissance palace built for Pope Pius II in the heart of Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The palace's most celebrated feature is its hanging garden, which extends behind the building and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Val d'Orcia, with its rolling hills, cypress trees, and distant villages. Visitors can explore the elegant rooms on the piano nobile, including the papal apartments, the library, and the grand hall, all furnished with period pieces. The garden, designed as a private retreat, is a masterpiece of symmetry and proportion, with geometric flower beds, a central fountain, and a loggia that frames the landscape like a painting. What makes this palace distinctive is its integration of architecture and nature, the garden seems to float above the valley, creating a sense of harmony and tranquility. A visit here provides insight into Renaissance ideals of beauty and power, and the views alone are worth the trip.

Don't miss

• The hanging garden with panoramic views over the Val d'Orcia
• The papal apartments with original 15th-century furnishings
• The loggia overlooking the garden and valley
• The grand courtyard with its elegant portico
• The library containing rare manuscripts and books

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Palazzo Piccolomini, Pienza

Cheapest way inMedieval Tour in Monteriggioni and Val d'Orcia from Florence4.8★ · 72 travelers~11 hoursFree cancellationFrom$50 per personSee dates →Best full dayTuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery4.9★ · 23,204 travelers~12 hoursFree cancellationFrom$111 per personSee dates →Private & flexiblePalazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti and Boboli gardens private tour5★ · 19 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$227 per personSee dates →