Keats-Shelley Memorial House, Literary museum at Piazza di Spagna, Rome, Italy
The Keats-Shelley Memorial House is a museum in Rome dedicated to English poetry and literature from the 1800s. The building holds about 8,000 items including manuscripts, letters, artworks, and personal objects belonging to John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and other Romantic writers such as Byron and Wordsworth.
Built in the early 1800s, the house became John Keats' home in 1820 and the place where he died a year later. After his death the building fell into neglect, but admirers of his work eventually purchased it in 1909 and converted it into a museum to honor his memory.
The house drew English-speaking writers and artists who gathered in Rome during the 1800s, creating a community of creative minds. Visitors can see letters, sketches, and belongings that show how these poets influenced and supported one another.
The museum sits in the heart of Rome at the base of the Spanish Steps, making it easy to reach from nearby attractions. Visitors can see the bedroom where Keats spent his final days and watch an introductory film about the poets' lives to better understand their stories.
During World War II, museum staff hid the valuable collections from Nazi forces and removed external markings from the building to protect it. These protective measures helped preserve the precious objects and documents for future generations.
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