Piccolomini Palace: Skip The Line

Enter a world of thrilling history and beautiful architecture - plus peek inside the pope's bedroom - at Pienza's magnificent Piccolomini Palace, built for Pope Pius II in the 15th century! Explore Renaissance life through its sumptuous architecture, priceless artworks and artifacts, and get inspired by the cool contemporary art gallery.
The gigantic Palazzo Piccolomini was built between 1460 and 1495 and is one of the earliest examples of Renaissance architecture and design in the world.
It's just as opulent as you'd expect inside, with its Neo-Renaissance frescoes (added in the 1800s) and beautifully designed furniture and fittings on and around every corner.
On the first floor, browse the palace museum for an introduction to the building's rich history and learn the stories of various holy figures who called it home. Look out for the 'Hall of the Ancestors' featuring a portrait of the pope by Ventura Salimbeni.
Feel free to take your time in the regularly updated contemporary art gallery, then stretch your legs in the charming garden. And for something entirely different... have a peek inside the pope's bedroom!