Arquà Petrarca: what to do and see

Veneto is a spectacular region, fabulous for those who love to live unique experiences such as, for example, visiting the village where Petrarca lived. Arquà Petrarca is a small village in the province of Padua , famous for being the last refuge of the great poet Francesco Petrarca.

The history of this place is closely linked to the poet, but its historical and cultural importance goes even further, in fact, Arquà Petrarca is a treasure chest to be discovered through a visit to its ancient streets, churches and houses which retain the charm of a distant era.

What to see in Arquà Petrarca: a detailed summary

Let's find out what to see in this small village that rises along the Euganean hills , in this way anyone who reads will be able to have an exhaustive overview of the beauties of the place and organize a complete itinerary without too much stress.

Petrarca's house

Petrarca's house is undoubtedly the most representative symbol of the village, this residence originally dates back to the thirteenth century and was donated to the poet in 1369 by Francesco the Elder of Carrara, Lord of Padua. Francesco Petrarca , fascinated by the tranquility and beauty of the places, decided to settle here to spend the last years of his life. He himself supervised the restoration and transformation of the house, which he adapted to his needs and taste.

Here, therefore, this place becomes an essential point for those who want to browse through history and discover a place where a poet like Petrarch lived, so important for Italian and world culture.

The house is made up of two distinct bodies , with a difference in height of three and a half meters from each other. Petrarca had some windows opened on the facade and combined the two residential units into a single accommodation. The upper floor, on the left side of the building, was reserved for himself and his family, while the right side, which included the main entrance, was intended for servants and services.

In the sixteenth century, the house passed into the hands of the Paduan noble Pietro Paolo Valdezocco, who made further modifications, including the construction of a Renaissance loggia and an external staircase. The internal walls were decorated with tempera paintings depicting scenes from Petrarch's works and you can find scenes from:

• Songbook;
• Triumphs;
• Africa.

Today, the house still retains the small study in which the poet died, with a chair and bookcase that are believed to be original. A curious and macabre detail is the niche in which the cat mummy is kept which, according to legend, belonged to the poet.

The oratory of the SS Trinità and the loggia of the Vicari

The oratory of the SS. Trinità , located near Petrarch's house, is a church of ancient origin, with certain information dating back to 1181. This Romanesque church, dear to the poet who often went there to pray, has a simple structure with a single nave and exposed beams. In the following centuries, the oratory underwent several modifications and expansions, including the addition of the apse in the fifteenth century. Inside you can admire a seventeenth-century wooden altar, an altarpiece depicting the Trinity of Palma il Giovane, and a series of statues and frescoes of great historical and artistic value.

Adjacent to the oratory is the Loggia dei Vicari , dating back to the 13th century, which was the place designated for meetings of heads of families and vicars. In 1828, the loggia lost its roof, remaining uncovered until 2003, when it was restored by the Municipality of Arquà Petrarca. Today, the loggia is covered by a glass and copper structure, which gives an evocative and modern atmosphere to this ancient building. The interior is decorated with the coats of arms of the vicars who represented Arquà in the Serenissima Republic of Venice.

The church of Santa Maria Assunta

The Church of Santa Maria Assunta is one of the oldest religious buildings in the village, with documents attesting to its existence as early as 1026. It was here that Petrarch's funeral took place and he was buried near the church, according to his wish. The church has undergone numerous changes over the centuries, with significant extensions in 1677 and in the 19th century, which gave it its current appearance.

Inside the church it is possible to find a central altar, the work of the sculptor Francesco Rizzi with a statue of the Virgin Mary and the Archangel Gabriel; Also worth seeing are the two sculpted wooden side altars dating back to the sixteenth century and the altarpiece on the right, which depicts the Baptism of Jesus , the work of Pietro Damini. On the back of the main altar you can admire a large altarpiece of the Assumption, created by Palma il Giovane. During the restorations of the twentieth century, frescoes from the Venetian-Byzantine and post-Giotto school were found, including a Madonna and Child and a triptych depicting Santa Marta, Santa Maria Maddalena and Santa Lucia .

The fountain and the tomb of Francesco Petrarca

The fountain dedicated to Petrarca , located not far from his house, is an ancient structure that already existed before the poet's arrival in Arquà. Petrarch used to draw water from this source and may have commissioned restoration work. On the front arch of the fountain is engraved a couplet in Latin, perhaps attributed to the poet Quarenghi, which exalts the importance of the water of the source, the same one that inspired Petrarch's verses.

Petrarca's funerary ark , made of red Verona marble, was erected six years after his death by his son-in-law, Francescuolo da Brossano. The tomb, which is inspired by ancient Roman sarcophagi, bears the epitaph dictated by the poet himself, a touching invitation to the Virgin and her Son to take care of the poet's soul, tired of earthly vicissitudes.

What to see in the surroundings of the village: the Costa lake and the Valsanzibio garden

The L aghetto della Costa , located near Arquà, is an archaeological site of great importance, included in the UNESCO site in 2011; This peri-lake settlement dates back to the Bronze Age and has yielded a large quantity of finds that testify to the long duration and complexity of life in this area. The pile dwellings, built on reclaimed wood and stone, were located along the banks of the lake and show great engineering skill on the part of their builders.

The garden of Valsanzibio

Not far from Arquà Petrarca is the Garden of Valsanzibio , one of the most important examples of a Baroque garden in Italy. Built between 1665 and 1696, the garden is a masterpiece of landscape architecture, with over 60 Istrian stone statues, fountains, waterfalls and an elaborate system of water features. This symbolic garden is a place of extraordinary beauty and spirituality, which won first prize as “The most beautiful garden in Italy” in 2003 and ranked third in Europe in 2007.

The garden is divided into different thematic areas, including the boxwood labyrinth, the Hermit's Cave and the Rabbit Island, each of which represents a stage in the symbolic path of salvation conceived by its founder.

Arquà Petrarca: how to live it to the full

For those who want to visit this village and also nearby Padua, it is important to book an apartment online . Thanks to a dedicated short-term rental it is possible to:

• Save on the budget dedicated to your stay;
• Really discover the area;
• Have full freedom of movement;
• Enjoy the advantages of an apartment.