Francesco Petrarca. poet, scholar, humanist (1304-1374)

The museum is presenting one of the largest Petrarch collections worldwide on the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the birth of the great Italian poet. The exhibition is devoted not only to his literary work but also deals with his life and influence, the fascination exerted by his work and its role as a model for other writers. Precious, rare high-quality bibliophile editions of his works (from epistolary works to the love poems of the “Canzoniere”) are on display. Some works are available in digital form and as facsimiles. In addition, stages in his life and the places where he wrote, his house in France and his visit to Cologne which he immortalised in a letter, are also illustrated. The comprehensive presentation enables the visitor to immerse himself in the world of Petrarch and experience his still fascinating aura and his modern European way of thinking.