As Pablo Neruda said “You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep Spring from coming”. I have just spent a few days at my artist friend in Pienza bathed in glorious Spring weather and fields of wild tulips and cherry blossoms. The gently rolling hills of Tuscany can not get any better than this area of Val D’Orcia and I am always pleased to be back.
The area has UNESCO World Heritage status: as it is an exceptional reflection of the way the landscape was re-written in Renaissance times to reflect the ideals of good governance and to create an aesthetically pleasing pictures. The landscape of the Val d’Orcia was celebrated by painters from the Siennese School, which flourished during the Renaissance. Images of the Val d’Orcia, and particularly depictions of landscapes where people are depicted as living in harmony with nature, have come to be seen as icons of the Renaissance and have profoundly influenced the development of landscape thinking.
That sense of harmony prevails and I could spend hours along the walls of Pienza absorbing these views in the changing sunlight. Or, as we did, take a stroll to the ancient Church of Corsignano with its decorative monsters above the doorway from the 12th Century, although parts of the church date back even to the 7th Century!
- Pieve of Corsignano
Complete harmony in nature. Pienza too is an absolute delight with its elegant Renaissance square and harmonious buildings, as Pope Pius Piccolomini had the money and power to transform his birthplace (Corsignano) into a Utopian dream city.
- Town Hall
- Palazzo Piccolomini
- Cathedral
But that’s not all as the strong scent of the local food speciality, namely the pecorino cheese, wafts along the street and the delicatessens display other tempting delicacies like pici pasta, dry porcini mushrooms, salamis, local honey and extra virgin olive oil.
The quaintness of the place continues with unique shops selling exquisite linen ware, and the kitchenware shop is full of copper pots and pans, basket ware, handmade knives and unusual olive oil servers.
My artist friend Enrico Paolucci is hard at work on a special ‘owl’ commissioned for a birthday surprise so I am left to wander the studio taking photos of his new work ( a homage to his father, Aleardo) and make the most of his hospitality.
- Enrico’s studio
After work, dinner in a quiet spot in Pienza and a late night stroll to catch the magic of the moment. Pienza never loses its charm nor the Val d’Orcia, Tuscany, its harmony with Nature.
Such fond memories of visiting the studio with you, and the two prints of Aleardo’s are great mementos. Thanks for your informative writing which always i
brings back memories or envy at what we cannot see.
Cheers,Happy Easter, Barb Goldstraw
Thanks Barb and Happy Easter to you too. The Paolucci’s and Pienza remain very special to me.
Hi Sue … brings back happy memories of the cheese rolling “derby” in the Pienza square.
Canberra’s turning on perfect Autumn weather for Easter … trees glowing red and gold around the lake and sunny blue skies.
cheers Heather & Roger S.
Looks like you are not the only ones that I have stirred up memories! Canberra sounds lovely too though at this time of year. Happy Easter to you both Sue
Such lovely memories of visiting here with you in 2012. Always great to read your blogs Sue. Happy Easter! Beth Codling
Thanks Beth. I hope you had a lovely Easter!
I’m not sure if I’d be visiting your part of the world soon, but the images that you’ve posted make me want to do so sooner. Who knows?
Oh I do hope so Alex! I see Jessica is down south at the moment so hope to catch her in Firenze.
The further away from Tuscany I am, the more I want to return.
Sooner or later we’ll welcome you two back Steve!