The cathedral of Pienza was designed to fit dramatically into the city's main square, Piazza Pio II, and was built at the behest of Pope Pius II Piccolomini between 1459 and 1462 by Bernardo Rossellino during the restructuring of the city.
The chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta probably dates back to the late Renaissance, since it is first mentioned in a document of 1590. The chapel was restored by the architect Giuseppe Partini in 1884, taking inspiration from 16th-century models. Today the church is privately owned.
The Church of San Biagio, designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, is an example of 16th century Tuscan Renaissance architecture. The church was built on the site of an ancient parish church of early Christian origin, whose fresco of the Madonna and Child with St. Francis attracted many pilgrims. The construction of the present church began in 1518 and lasted until 1545.
The Cathedral of Montepulciano was built between 1586 and 1680 by the architect Ippolito Scalza d'Orvieto; the building was erected on the site of the ancient parish church of Santa Maria. The church was solemnly consecrated on 19 June 1712 by Francesco Maria Arrighi, Bishop of Montepulciano.
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