Pienza
An urban jewel
If you interrupt your study trip through Italy in the small town of Pienza, the best way to get to know its sights is on a city tour. Pope Pius II wanted to erect an urban monument here. The renaissance city, which has retained its character to this day, was built according to the plans of the great master builder Bernardo Rossellino. A tourist magnet is the Duomo Santa Maria Assunta, a hall church with three naves, the facade of which is clearly structured in the Renaissance style. To the right of the cathedral, the Palazzo Piccolomini was built, which was modeled on a palace from Florence. From the loggias of Palazzo Piccolomini, visitors have a fantastic view of the Orcia Valley.
Pienza is known for its excellent restaurants
The landmark of the Palazzo Púbblico, which was built opposite the cathedral, is the tower that towers above everything. Today the palace serves as the mayor’s official residence. If you look across from the Palazzo Púbblico to the cathedral, you can see the bishop’s palace to the left. Opposite the town hall is the Museo Diocesano, which also houses the tourist information office. The winding Corso Rossellino meanders through the historic core of Pienza, which extends between the two city gates. The main street is characterized by excellent restaurants. Gourmets from all over the region come here to eat. In the shops next door, tourists can buy the typical products of the region.
Every year in September there is a cheese fair in Pienza
A well-known culinary specialty from Pienza is the excellent, spicy sheep’s cheese. A cheese fair, the Fiera del Cacio, takes place in the village on the first Sunday in September. Outside the city walls one encounters the old parish church, which is the actual place of origin of Pienza. The Pieve di Corsignano was built in the 11th and 12th centuries. Pope Pius II, to whom Pienza owes its current appearance, was baptized in the little church. In the shade of oaks and olive trees you can relax very well and enjoy the culinary specialties of the region.
Gubbio
A visit to the picture-perfect town of Gubbio is a must on a trip through Umbria
Anyone taking a trip through the Italian region of Umbria is advised to make a stopover in Gubbio, as the city has all sorts of attractions to offer its guests. Those interested in culture will delight in the architecture from the Middle Ages, lovers of handicrafts will visit ceramic workshops and gourmets will be served the delicate white truffles. It is therefore not surprising that more and more study tour providers have added the picture-perfect city of Gubbio to their travel offer. The place, located around 40 kilometers north of Perugia, is characterized by its narrow alleys, some of which are vaulted.
The greatest treasure of the Museo Civico are the Eugubin tablets
The best way for tourists to get to know Gubbio is to take a tour of the stand, which ideally starts in Piazza Quaranta Martiri. Among other things, you can see the monastery church of S. Francesco from 1255, the tower of which dates from the 15th century. The Tiratori loggia dominates the east of the piazza. Also worth seeing is the Museo Civico, which has found its home in the Palazzo die Consoli. The greatest treasure of the museum are the so-called Eugubin Tablets, seven bronze plates that were made between the 3rd and 1st centuries BC. The Palazzo Ducale rises above the Piazza Grande. An excellent view of the beautiful city opens up from the garden terrace.
The old town is characterized by winding streets
The cathedral of SS Giacomo e Mariano dates back to 1229. The Canon House houses a small cathedral museum. The city tour leads over the Via die Consoli from the Piazza Grande to the north-western historic center, the landmark of which is the winding alleys. The Gothic Palazzo del Bargello, construction of which began in 1302, used to house the prison and the police station. On the other side of Gubbio, which the visitor reaches via the beautiful Via 20. Settembre, is the church of S. Maria Nuova. The greatest art treasure in the church are frescoes by the local painter Ottavino Nelli, which date from the 15th century.
Asolo
The small town of Asolo in the northern Italian region of Veneto is known for its millennia-old history. The area of today’s 25 square kilometer community was settled several centuries before the birth of Christ. Today, 9,000 inhabitants live in the medieval core city and in the outlying villages. For trips such as vacation or study trips, Asolo is a really worthwhile destination because of a few fine sights.
Cathedral, villas and romantic places
The Cathedral of Santa Maria di Breda was built on the foundations of a former Roman thermal complex. The altarpiece “The Appearance of the Virgin” is a work of art by the Italian painter Lorenzo Lotto. The English poet and playwright Robert Browning lived in the Scotti-Pasini villa; a building from the 17th century with long arcades, well-preserved facade frescoes and a wide panoramic view over the province of Treviso. In the center of Asolo, the Piazza Maggiore with a Renaissance fountain and the Palazzo della Ragione are worth more than just a visit. The city museum of Asolo located here gives an interesting insight into the history of the city. The castle of Caterina Cornaro, a nobleman from the 1490s, is now the Eleonora Duse Theater, famous in the region. Eleonora Duse was one of the particularly successful theater actresses of her time. She was born in Lombardy in 1858 and died in Pennsylvania in 1924.
City of a Hundred Horizons – Uniquely beautiful location in Veneto
Asolo is known as the city of a hundred horizons due to its almost idyllic location in the hills north of the provincial capital Treviso. Over the centuries, public figures, artists, actors and writers have settled in and around Asolo. Their villas and country residences are still shaping the cityscape today. The place and province are known far beyond the borders of Veneto because of their viticulture. The Asolo Prosecco carries the Italian DOCG certificate as a guaranteed designation of origin from Asolo in the province of Treviso in Veneto.
