Museo Petrarchesco Piccolomineo

About the museum

The museum holds the collection bequeathed to the Trieste Civic Library in 1842 by Count Domenico Rossetti de Scander, made up of illuminated codices, early printed books and works of art devoted to Francesco Petrarch and Enea Silvio Piccolomini, bishop of Trieste from 1447 to 1450 and later Pope Pius II. The Museo petrarchesco piccolomineo was opened to the public in 2003 on the third floor of the civic library “Attilio Hortis”.

The Petrarch bibliographical collection is considered the richest in Italy in number of editions and, worldwide, second only to the Willard Fiske collection held at Cornell University. Over time it has been enriched by purchases and donations, including codices and fifteenth-century editions from the Libreria Antiquaria of Umberto Saba in the 1930s.

The exhibition room is dominated by two pairs of Tuscan wedding chests from the second half of the 15th century, with the Triumphs of Petrarch. Among the most important pieces are the first edition of the Canzoniere and the Triumphs, printed in Venice in 1470; the manuscript of the Lives of Illustrious Men with miniatures by Cristoforo Cortese; a bas-relief by Mino da Fiesole; the family tree of the Piccolomini engraved by Arnold van Westerhout; and the autograph letter in which Enea Silvio announced his election as bishop of Trieste. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and has a study room.

Highlights

• First edition of Petrarch’s Canzoniere and Triumphs, Venice 1470
• Manuscript of the Lives of Illustrious Men with miniatures by Cristoforo Cortese
• Tuscan wedding chests with the Triumphs of Petrarch
• Piccolomini family tree engraved by Arnold van Westerhout
• Bas-relief by Mino da Fiesole
• Autograph letter from Enea Silvio Piccolomini to the Chapter of San Giusto

Permanent exhibition

• Raccolta petrarchesca e piccolominea – Illuminated codices, incunabula, prints, paintings and works of art on Francesco Petrarch and Enea Silvio Piccolomini, displayed in the room on the third floor.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Comune di Trieste – Biblioteca civica Attilio Hortis

Visitors per year

approx. 1,718

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• 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 museum is on the third floor of the library and can be reached by lift (automatic door, Braille button panel and audible signal). At the main entrance there is a 6 cm step with no means of overcoming it; there is another entrance. The route from the bus stop is free of barriers but slopes, so a companion is recommended. A parking space for people with disabilities is at via Madonna del Mare 12. Accessibility of content: partial for motor and visual disabilities, full for hearing disabilities; guided visits for special needs are available. Accessible toilets on the second and third floors.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From the stop, continue along via della Rotonda towards via Madonna del Mare; the route slopes.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum has a bookshop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit