The Keats - Shelley House
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The Keats - Shelley House

The Keats-Shelley House, located in the heart of Rome, is a historically significant museum and former residence that pays homage to the renowned English Romantic poets, John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley. These poets left an indelible mark on the world of literature, and this house is where Keats spent the final months of his life.

John Keats, one of the most celebrated poets of the Romantic era, arrived in Rome in late 1820, seeking a milder climate to alleviate his tuberculosis. He resided in this house, which was then a pensione, under the care of his close friend Joseph Severn. It was within these walls that Keats penned some of his most cherished works, including "Ode to a Nightingale" and "To Autumn."

The house also holds significance due to its association with Percy Bysshe Shelley, another prominent Romantic poet. Shelley and his wife, Mary Shelley, author of "Frankenstein," were close friends of Keats. Shelley's visits to this house, marked by intellectual discussions and creative exchanges, further cement its place in literary history.

The museum itself is a treasure trove of memorabilia, manuscripts, first editions, and personal belongings of Keats and Shelley, along with other artifacts related to the Romantic poets. Visitors can explore the rooms where Keats lived, reflecting on the poignant period of his life and the literary legacy he left behind.