Arquà Petrarca historical timeline

Origins

The village grew on the terraced slope of one of the Euganean volcanic cones, in a landscape of vines, olives and orchards worked since the Roman period.

Turning points

Francesco Petrarca was given land here by Francesco da Carrara, lord of Padua, and moved in during 1370 — deliberately choosing a quiet hill village over the courts where he had spent his career.

Influential people

He died on 19 July 1374. The tradition that he was found at his desk with a book is old and unverifiable, and entirely in keeping with the way he had arranged his life.

Cultural evolution

Arquà became a place of literary pilgrimage almost immediately and has stayed one — Byron, Shelley and Mozart all came. That steady stream of visitors is part of why the village was never modernised.

Present-day significance

In 1868 the comune added the poet's name to its own. It is now one of the Borghi più belli d'Italia, and is protected accordingly.