Pienza

a city in central Italy, in Siena Province. Pienza was built as a result of a decree issued by Pope Pius II (Enea Silvio de’ Piccolomini), after whom the city was named. Pius II wanted to construct a new city on the site of his birthplace, the village of Corsignano. Pienza’s regular street layout (from 1459) was designed by B. Rossellino, as were a number of late-15th-century buildings, including the hall-type cathedral, the Palazzo Piccolomini, and the Palazzo Comunale. The Palazzo Vescovile also dates to this period. Pienza is the site of a diocesan museum of religious art.