Arquà Petrarca: Petrarch House, Landscape and Jujube

Culture and Special Places

Arquà Petrarca combines a literary and cultural connection with landscape experiences and a regional speciality closely associated with jujube. Those wishing to consider culture, trails and local cuisine together during their trip to Italy will find various starting points here for planning their own day.

The Casa del Petrarca is the house in Arquà Petrarca where Francesco Petrarch spent the final years of his life. He died there on the night of 18–19 July 1374. The site thus establishes a concrete connection to the poet’s final stage of life, without requiring any further historical context.

The Oratorio della SS. Trinità is an old sacred building with frescoes that convey the spirituality of the period. North of the Villa Centanin building complex, there is also the permanent exhibition Mostra di Strumenti Popolari e Meccanici. It presents instruments from the tradition of popular music as well as mechanical musical instruments. The two sites each focus on different cultural themes.

The surrounding area of Arquà Petrarca includes the Villa Barbarigo Palace, the Museo Naturalistico di Villa Beatrice D'Este, the Museo delle Macchine Termiche Centanin, the Castello di Monselice and the Giardino di Villa Barbarigo a Valsanzibio. Castello di Monselice is a castle; the other destinations expand the surrounding area with a palace, museums and a garden.

Hills, Forests and Trails

The landscape is characterised by several elevations. The mountain Monte Venda is located near Arquà Petrarca, as is the mountain Monte della Madonna. The hill Monte Orbieso is in the immediate vicinity.

The Sentiero Atestino No. 3 leads through sunny meadows and dense forests dominated by chestnut trees. The Percorso del Petrarca is also relevant for orientation in the town: it begins in the lower part of Arquà Petrarca at Via Palazzina and leads towards Monselice.

Jujube and Regional Speciality

The jujube, called giuggiola in Italian, is considered one of the symbols of Arquà Petrarca. The liqueur brodo di giuggiole is associated with it. It originated from a peasant preparation made from jujubes as well as quinces and strawberry grapes or Moscato.

Casa del Petrarca Opening Hours

For planning the timing of a visit to Casa del Petrarca, the opening hours from March to October are 09:00 to 12:30 and 15:00 to 19:00. From November to February, the house is open from 09:00 to 12:30 and from 14:30 to 17:30. Last admission is in each case 30 minutes before closing.

Further Places for Orientation

Further destinations for your own travel planning: Polverara, Montagnana, Ponte San Nicolò, Masi, Borgoricco, Villa Di Teolo, Megliadino San Vitale, Mira.

For the overarching travel overview: Padua.