Casa Guidi (Home of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning), Florence

Casa Guidi (Home of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning), Florence

Casa Guidi s a writer's house museum located in the 15th-century Palazzo Guidi at Piazza San Felice, 8, near the southern end of the Pitti Palace in Florence. A center of British society in Florence, the space was inhabitated by Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning from 1847 (shortly after their clandestine marriage) until Elizabeth's passing in 1861. She affectionately named the apartment 'Casa Guidi' to transform "a mere palace into a home". Today, it stands as a shrine to Elizabeth's memory, where she penned much of her beloved poetry, including, naturally enough, her notable 1851 collection, "Casa Guidi Windows."

After Mrs. Browning's death, her son, Robert, continued to live here until 1912. Eventually, the apartment was bought by several Browning enthusiasts – although, by that time, it retained hardly any furniture or paintings. The Browning Society in New York restored it, before giving it to Eton College which undertook further work so that the building could be used as a study centre. Today, it is part of The Eton College Collections but is administered by the Landmark Trust, who also look after the apartment above the one where John Keats died in Rome. When not being used by Eton boys, the property is available for holiday lets booked through the Landmark Trust.

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Casa Guidi (Home of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning) on Map

Sight Name: Casa Guidi (Home of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Florence, Italy

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Florence Introduction Walking Tour

The city of Florence was founded by Julius Caesar in 59 BC as a settlement for veteran soldiers. It was built initially in the style of an army garrison – with main streets intersecting at today's Piazza della Repubblica. The original name, Fluentia, stems from its location between the two rivers; later, it was renamed Florentia, which means “flowering” or “flourishing”.

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour

Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Florence Food Tour

Florence Food Tour

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In general, the “osterias” and the eateries nestled in Sant’Ambrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Florence's Hidden Art Treasures

Florence's Hidden Art Treasures

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Medici Landmarks Walking Tour

Medici Landmarks Walking Tour

The Medici family helped to establish Florence as the single most important art capital of Renaissance Europe. In order to prove wealth and power, they built numerous palaces, libraries, churches, chapels and personal residences. The Medicis were big lovers of art and they acquired huge, expensive collections, as well as supporting many sculptors and painters of the time.

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Duomo Walking Tour

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Located in the very heart of historic Florence, the Duomo area is deservedly considered the city’s religious and civic center, replete with numerous landmarks. Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, the two most important squares in the city, are steeped in history and the sights and activities found here are truly endless.

The most prominent of these, undoubtedly, is the breathtaking...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

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