Ingresso Casa del Petrarca

This 13th century house still maintains most of its original 14th century features, despite the many restorations and alterations. In the 16th century, a loggia was added and the rooms were frescoed with scenes inspired by Petrarch's most famous works, his “Song Book” and “Africa”.

Petrarch was born in 1304 in Arezzo, Tuscany, and died in in 1374 in Arquà, Veneto. In 1369, Petrarch was old, ill and tired of his continuous wanderings, therefore he had a house restored in Arquà, a village in the Euganean hills, which he chose as a refuge for his twilight years. There he was surrounded by old and new friends and relatives: his daughter Francesca, his son-in-law Francescuolo and his granddaughter Eletta.
He continued his studies until he died during the night between 18th and 19th July 1374, with his head resting on his beloved books.