Casa del Petrarca
House museum in Arquà Petrarca, where the poet spent the last years of his life, with 16th-century frescoes inspired by his works.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
In 1369 Francesco Petrarca, elderly, ill and tired of constant travelling, had a house renovated in the village of Arquà, on the Euganean Hills, and settled there with his daughter Francesca, her husband Francescuolo da Brossano and their niece Eletta. He continued his studies there and died on the night between 18 and 19 July 1374. The house may have been a gift from Francesco I da Carrara, lord of Padua. The poet joined two existing buildings, reserved the raised ground floor of the left-hand one for the family and assigned the other to the servants and the main entrance, with a garden in front and a vegetable garden at the back.
After his death the house passed to several owners without major alterations, out of respect for the poet's memory, and became a destination for literary pilgrimage. In the mid-16th century the owner Paolo Valdezocco partly changed the layout of the rooms, added the small loggia and the external staircase, and commissioned the frescoes with scenes taken from the Canzoniere and the Africa, which can still be seen today.
The house was left to the municipality of Padua by Cardinal Pietro Silvestri in 1876. The restorations, begun in 1906, were completed in 1985. Inside are editions of the poet's works and messages left by admirers over the centuries; visitors can see the studiolo (small study), the old library and some objects that belonged to Petrarch, including his chair and the legendary stuffed cat.
Highlights
- Studiolo and old library of the poet
- Chair and stuffed cat attributed to Petrarch
- 16th-century frescoes inspired by the Canzoniere and the Africa
- Renaissance small loggia with external staircase
- Editions of the works and messages from admirers
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso della casa-museo – Visit to the rooms where Petrarch lived: hall, studiolo and library, with 16th-century frescoes, editions of his works and objects connected with the poet.
- Operated by
- Comune di Padova – Musei Civici
- Visitors per year
- approx. 52,022
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4 |
| Children & teens | –Free admission for some categories, according to the price list of the Musei Civici di Padova. |
| Students & apprentices | €3Reduced rate for young people and students. |
Tickets: standard €6, reduced €4, reduced for young people and students €3. Some categories enter free; associations and organisations can request reduced rates for their members.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The venue reports architectural barriers and visit restrictions for people with mobility impairments (the first floor is reached by the external staircase). A guide in AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) is available.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The house is in the historic centre of the village of Arquà Petrarca, on the Euganean Hills.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Photography | Photography is permitted for private use only, without flash or tripods; the exhibited objects must not be touched. |
| Good to know | Groups and schools must book at +39 0429 718 294 or by e-mail. |
