The history of Pienza is closely tied to that of Enea Silvio Piccolomini who was born in Pienza on the 18th of October 1405, and became Pope in 1458 with the name of Pio II.
Enea Silvio Piccolomini was the first of 18 children. After spending his childhood within the walls of Corsignano he moved at a very young age to Siena where he read humanistic studies. In 1432 he started his ecclesiastic career and later presided over the Consiglio di Basilea. He then became the secretary of Cardinal Aberaghi and secretary of the antipope FeliceV.
A man of great awareness, he did not want take up the sacred orders on account of having to take vows of chastity but with the rapid degeneration of his health and the ripening of his spirit, in 1444 he showed a new religious sensibility. In 1445 he was made ambassador in Rome and in 1450 bishop of Siena. His actions were mainly focused on defending Christianity from the Turkish menace. On the 19th of August 1458 he was ordained pope. He died in Ancona, where he had gone to assemble a Christian fleet against the Turks, on the 14th of August 1464.
Pio II 's fame in the literary field is due to his "Commentaries" that narrate his life.
Enea Silvio Piccolomini's wish was to transform his birthplace Corsignano from a small medieval hamlet (the ancient Castle of Corsignano has been known since 828) to an ideal town. The new town built on top of Corsignano, was named Pienza "ad memoriam nostri Pontificalis Nomis".
The idea of creating the town of Pienza was born during a visit by the Pope to his birthplace on the 22nd of February 1459, whilst pondering over the misery and decadence of the place. The Popes' intention was to transform the ancient medieval hamlet into a modern town. To this day this town has remained one of the most important examples of 15th century European style and architecture.
The works lasted little more than three years and on the 29th of August 1462, in occasion of the festivities for Saint John Baptist, Pio II consecrated the Cathedral and inaugurated the new town of Pienza.
The planning of Pio II 's town was entrusted to the Florentine architect Bernardo Gambarelli, known as "Il Rossellino", pupil and collaborator of Leon Battista Alberti, but the true inspiration for the works came from the Pope, who directed the works from his heights.
Pio II 's inspiration was dictated by his wish to maintain the old road axis that passed through Corsignano from east to west. Being short of space, Pienza's architect thought of separating the two main buildings, one of which belonged to the Pope and one to the Bishop, by inserting in between these two, the Duomo. The apse of the Duomo was also built higher than the walls that surround the hill upon which the town sits.

 

 

 

In 1996, the historical centre of Pienza was listed in the UNESCO World Heritage and recognised therefore as a place of great value for all humanity.