Carnival in Piazza Pio II

Carnival in the heart of Pienza

The Carnival in Piazza Pio II is the winter event that brings color and joy to the historic center of Pienza, a small jewel of the Val d'Orcia in the province of Siena, Tuscany. The celebration takes place in the spectacular Piazza Pio II, the trapezoidal square designed in the mid-15th century by Bernardo Rossellino at the behest of Pope Pius II (Enea Silvio Piccolomini): a masterpiece of Renaissance urban planning that is part of the Val d'Orcia UNESCO World Heritage site and, for a few hours, fills with masks, music, and confetti.

A festival designed for children

Unlike large carnivals featuring allegorical floats, the Pienza event is a family-friendly local festival. The true stars are the children, who arrive in costume and crowd the square with handfuls of confetti, streamers, and plenty of entertainment. It is a spontaneous and inclusive carnival where local children and their families gather for an afternoon of outdoor play and fun in one of the most beautiful settings in Tuscany.

Tradition and community

The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Pienza, which manages most of the events that animate the town's calendar throughout the year, from the 'Pienza and Flowers' festival to the Literary Emporium, and the summer events in August. The Carnival is part of this rich program of initiatives and represents one of the moments when the small Pienza community gathers in its quintessential urban living room, Piazza Pio II.

Pienza, the ideal city of the Renaissance

Experiencing Carnival in Pienza also means discovering one of the most fascinating locations in Tuscany. Known as the 'ideal city' of the Renaissance, Pienza preserves the Cathedral, Palazzo Piccolomini, and Piazza Pio II in its center, and is world-famous for its pecorino cheese and the views of the Val d'Orcia. A stroll through the alleys of the village, before or after the costume party, completes a day of Carnival dedicated to tradition and beauty.