Discover The Romantic Legacy of Lord Byron in Ravenna, Ravenna, Italy

In self-imposed exile from England, the English poet Lord Byron found a new chapter of his life in Italy. He wrote some of his most mature works in the city of Ravenna, but his time here was also marked by his romantic passions and political endeavours. His presence left an indelible mark on the city, and now you can learn more about Byron in Ravenna at the recently opened Byron Museum.

Lord Byron was one of the greatest English poets of the 19th century, known for works such as Don Juan and Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage. He was also a famous (or infamous) lover, a traveller, and - in later life - a political activist. His lifestyle was unconventional and he was eventually forced into exile, partly because of his bisexuality (illegal at that time), and partly because of a scandalous affair with his own half-sister.

Byron arrived in Ravenna in 1819, following his then mistress, Teresa Guiccioli, from his former home in Venice. Although married to Count Alessandro Guiccioli, Teresa was involved in a love affair with Byron for many years, and their intense relationship was seen as emblematic of Romantic love

Byron lived in the Palazzo Guiccioli with Teresa and her husband. Here he became deeply involved in local politics, supporting the local freedom fighters. At one point the palazzo was used to store arms belonging to the Italian independence movement. Another slightly bizarre aspect of his life in the palace was his maintenance of a large menagerie of animals, including monkeys, peacocks and several enormous dogs. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).