Casa di Dante (Dante House-Museum), Florence

911

Casa di Dante (Dante House-Museum), Florence

Casa di Dante (Dante House-Museum), Florence

Florence underwent dramatic changes during the Renaissance, but in the city’s eastern quarter, you can still feel the spirit of the Middle Ages. Winding your way through its narrow alleys and tucked-away corners, you’ll find yourself stepping into scenes that Florence’s most famous poet, Dante Alighieri, would recognize even today. Not far from the parish church where he first laid eyes on Beatrice Portinari, his lifelong muse, stands Casa di Dante, the house believed to be his childhood home.

Now a three-story museum, the space offers a thoughtful look at the life and legacy of the man behind the “Divine Comedy”. On the ground floor, you’ll explore his early years in Florence. The second level focuses on the turning point of his life—the exile—and the time he spent in Ravenna, where he eventually died. Climb to the top floor, and you’ll find a collection of the poet’s personal items, along with replicas carefully recreated to reflect his world. One standout piece is a miniature edition of the “Divina Comedia”—the smallest printed version of the famous text, and a testament to its enduring legacy.

Dante’s epic poem takes the reader on a journey through the afterlife—guided first by the Roman poet Virgil through Hell and Purgatory, then by Beatrice through the realms of Paradise. Though Dante himself called the work simply "The Comedy," it gained popularity over the centuries, and in 1555, a lavish edition published in Venice gave us the name we know today.

Tip: The museum’s staircase is quite steep, but there is an elevator—just note that it’s a bit tucked away and might not be obvious when you first walk in. Keep an eye out, especially if you're hoping to skip the stairs.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 911 App

Casa di Dante (Dante House-Museum) on Map

Sight Name: Casa di Dante (Dante House-Museum)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Florence, Italy

Create Your Own Walk in Florence

Create Your Own Walk in Florence

Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Florence's Hidden Art Treasures

Florence's Hidden Art Treasures

The “Cradle of the Renaissance,” Florence is one of Europe’s most beautiful and busiest destinations, home to some of the world's greatest pieces of art and architecture. The iconic masters like Giotto, Botticelli, Raphael and Michelangelo, as well as their somewhat less-known but equally talented counterparts, such as Ghirlandaio, Sangallo and Castagno, have blessed this city with...  view more

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.

Designed by...  view more

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

Florence Introduction Walking Tour

Florence was founded in 59 BC by Julius Caesar as a settlement for his veteran soldiers. Laid out like a Roman military camp, its main roads intersected at what is now the Republic Square. Originally named Fluentia, referencing its location between two rivers, the city later adopted the name Florentia, meaning “flowering” or “flourishing”.

And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour

Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour

Though born in the small Tuscan town of Caprese, Michelangelo spent over two decades of his life in Florence—the heart of the Renaissance. It was here that he grew up, was educated, and began shaping his artistic voice, eventually creating some of the most iconic masterpieces the city has ever known.

His larger-than-life work—“David”—didn’t just reshape the image of biblical...  view more

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

Dante's Florence Walking Tour

Dante Alighieri was arguably the greatest – albeit also most controversial – of Italy's poets. After having served as one of the six priors governing Florence, his political activities – including the banishing of several rivals – led to his own banishment, upon which he wrote his masterpiece, “The Divine Comedy”, as a wanderer, seeking protection for his family in one town after...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Florence Food Tour

Florence Food Tour

Food is one of the great Florentine passions, and the great thing about having a delicious authentic Tuscan meal, a snack, delicatessen, or a quality gelato here – besides the abundant variety – is not having to spend a lot of money for it.

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

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Top 14 Pubs in Florence

Top 14 Pubs in Florence

Florence, the city of art and beauty has no problem in mastering the art of the nightlife as well. Local pubs are very popular and appreciated among the Florentines and the tourists. Locals and native English speakers that study or live in the city cannot wait to welcome tourists in their cozy...
Florence's Tasty Coffee Shop Guide

Florence's Tasty Coffee Shop Guide

The caffe scene throughout Italy is an important factor of everyday life. People will pop in to their favorite bar on their way to work for a quick espresso breakfast with a pastry, they’ll grab a slice of pizza for lunch or drop by for an aperitivo before dining out and take a peaceful digestivo...
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 15 Unique Products to Buy in Florence

Souvenir Shopping Guide: 15 Unique Products to Buy in Florence

Compared to other Italian "grands" like Rome, Venice, or Milan, Florence is relatively less-known to an outsider for any local products, save, perhaps, Florentine mosaics and Fiorentina FC. Fortunately, there are tonnes of locally-originated things that this Italian city is rightfully...