The sarcophagus was inspired by the design of Roman antique tombs.
In 1630, the poet's remains were allegedly stolen by a student from Vicenza, who reportedly replaced them with bones from a different body.
The body was exhumed for scientific examination in 1843, 1873, and 2003, confirming the presence of the original remains and identifying a mysterious skull not belonging to the poet.
The village was officially renamed Arquà Petrarca in 1868 to honor the poet's long residency there.
Petrarca's Tomb is the final resting place of the humanist poet Francesco Petrarca, situated in the village of Arquà Petrarca in the Euganean Hills. The tomb consists of a red Verona marble sarcophagus raised on four square pillars in front of the local parish church. Petrarca spent the final years of his life in this village, dying in his home there in 1374. The monument was commissioned by Francesco da Carrara and completed by his son-in-law, Francesco da Brossano, in 1380. The sarcophagus features a relief of the poet on the front side. The current location is the result of the poet's relocation to the church square, having previously been interred inside the church itself. The site remains a pilgrimage destination for literature scholars and enthusiasts of the Italian Renaissance.
From the church steps looking back towards the tomb to capture the monument with the hillside architecture in the background.
Combine your visit to the tomb with a walk to the nearby Casa del Petrarca, the poet's restored former residence.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as the village features steep, cobbled streets typical of the Euganean Hills.
Visit on a weekday to avoid the heavier weekend crowds that arrive for weekend wine tourism.
Do not attempt to touch or climb the sarcophagus, which is protected by a metal railing.
Maintain a respectful silence as it is a public monument in a residential village square; modest clothing is expected if entering the adjacent church.
