Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374), the first great lyric poet of our literature, is considered one of the “founding fathers” of the Italian language. His main work, still vital for language and feelings, is the Canzoniere: more than three hundred poems, mostly sonnets, dedicated to Laura, the beloved woman.

The current construction of Borgo dell’Orto was erected in the sixteenth century, on the remains of a medieval building traditionally considered the birthplace of the poet. In fact, several times Petrarch declares he was born in Arezzo: in one of his letters, he also states that, returning from Rome after the jubilee of 1350, he stopped in Arezzo, where the citizens gave him a festive welcome and led him to see the his birthplace, which the city authorities had forbidden to change.

The building was for many years a private residence, then became the headquarters of the police headquarters of Arezzo, and remained so until 1926, when it was restored. Currently, it hosts the prestigious Petrarca Academy of Arts and Sciences , and preserves a rich library, whose nucleus consists of the fund donated by Francesco Redi, with incunabula and precious antique editions, as well as a precious quadreria worth. The Academy also features a fine collection of coins from various periods.