Palazzo Piccolomini ("Piccolomini Palace" in English) is a palace in the center of Pienza, Italy, next to the Duomo. Palazzo Piccolimini is one of the earliest examples of Renaissance architecture and was built starting in 1459 to a design by Bernardo Rossellino. It was commissioned by Pope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini, a native of the small village of Corsignano which would later be renamed "Pienza", meaning "cittá di Pio" ("city of Pio"), in his honor.

History

The palace, also known as the Pontifical, was commissioned by Enea Piccolomini, or Pope Pius II, to Italian Renaissance sculpture Bernardo Rossellino, as part of the project for the reconstruction of Pienza as the ideal city. It was designed in the second half of the 15th century, after 1459. For its construction Rossellino was inspired by the Palazzo Rucellai in Florence, the work of his master Leon Battista Alberti. The residential palace is one of the earliest examples of Renaissance architecture.

Description

The building is now a museum, where you can visit the ancient hall of arms, Pius II's study, bedchambers, the art and sculpture collection he built. It has a square plan, developed on three floors, made of rustic light stone. It is one of the buildings in the trapezoidal piazza. On the west side is the Palazzo Piccolomini. The Duomo Cathedral is at the center of the piazza.

In the third season of Medici (TV Series), many scenes were shot, not at the Medici Palace and courtyard in Florence, but the Piccolomini palace and square in Pienza. The palace overlooks the main square of the Tuscan town. The Piazza Pio II street is seen in almost every episode of the series.

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File:Palazzo piccolomini 03 cortile.jpg|Palazzo Piccolomini Courtyard

File:Palazzo piccolomini 01.jpg|The garden facade

File:Palazzo piccolomini 02 giardino.jpg|Palazzo garden

File:Qk-Pienza-Duomo-12.jpg|Palazzo garden and hillside

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See also

  • Palazzo Piccolomini, Siena

References

Bibliography

  • Palazzo Piccolomini in Pienza: guide to the palace and its collections
  • The Palazzo Piccolomini in Siena: Pius II's architectural patronage and its afterlife
  • Ideal city
  • Rucellai Palace
  • Official Website
  • Pienza Piazza Pio II
  • Pienza, Palazzo Piccolomini