Palazzo Piccolomini

Palazzo Piccolomini in Pienza, Tuscany, is a mid-15th-century Renaissance palace built for the Piccolomini family during the town’s redesign under Pope Pius II. It is a well-preserved example of early Renaissance civic and residential architecture.

The palace contains formal reception rooms on the piano nobile and retains period architectural details typical of Renaissance palaces. A terrace or loggia on the building’s south side provides panoramic views over the Val d’Orcia, a key reason many visitors include the palace on a visit to Pienza.

The commission dates to the papacy of Pius II (Enea Silvio Piccolomini) and the work is attributed to the circle of the architect Bernardo Rossellino, who planned much of the town’s Renaissance layout. The palace is part of Pienza’s compact historic centre, which is arranged around a central piazza and cathedral.

Pienza sits on a hill in southern Tuscany; the palazzo faces the valley of the Orcia river and is within easy walking distance of other sights in the town.

• Founder and date: Commissioned by Pope Pius II (Enea Silvio Piccolomini) in the mid-15th century and attributed to the architect Bernardo Rossellino as part of Pienza's Renaissance redesign.
• Viewpoint: Offers direct views across the Val d'Orcia, a notable Renaissance-era scenic landscape in southern Tuscany.

What to See #

• Piano nobile and apartments: A Renaissance palace built for the Piccolomini family with a piano nobile of formal reception rooms and period decorative elements.
• Terrace and views: A terraced loggia and garden area that provide panoramic views over the Val d'Orcia landscape to the south.