The Duomo faces the Piazza Piccolomini, or Piazza Pio II. It is the center of the urban structure of Pienza. In order to give greater emphasis to the facade of the Duomo and to create a kind of natural scenic backdrop by opening up a view of the landscape behind it, the architect set the two main buildings' axes, to either side, unaligned with that of the duomo. The result is the irregular trapezoidal piazza.
Keywords: Italy, Siena, Pienza, ceremonial and/or religious structures, facades. Submitted by Robert Livesey.