Casa Guidi (Home of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning), Florence
Tucked just around the corner from the Pitti Palace, Casa Guidi is a suite of eight rooms that once belonged to one of literature鈥檚 most celebrated couples鈥擱obert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Housed in a 15th-century palace, the property became a hub of British life in Florence. Originally two separate medieval structures, it was combined and renovated in the late 1700s, then found new life when the Brownings moved in after their secret marriage in 1847. Shortly after the birth of their son Pen, Elizabeth began calling the apartment 鈥淐asa Guidi鈥�, turning what she described as 鈥渁 mere palace into a home.鈥�
The couple traveled often, collecting furniture and art from across Europe, and slowly filled the place with warmth and meaning. It was here that Elizabeth composed much of her poetry, including the 鈥淐asa Guidi Windows鈥� collection, which reflects her deep engagement with the political changes sweeping through Italy at the time.
Fortunately, the Browning Society of New York restored the old apartment, and in 1993, after approvals from authorities in Italy, the UK, and the US, ownership was officially transferred to Eton College. Today, for a small donation, you can step inside and see the place much as it looked when the Brownings called it home: spacious, filled with charm, and rich with literary history. Just ring the bell and you鈥檒l be let in鈥攏o stairs required, there鈥檚 an elevator too.
The couple traveled often, collecting furniture and art from across Europe, and slowly filled the place with warmth and meaning. It was here that Elizabeth composed much of her poetry, including the 鈥淐asa Guidi Windows鈥� collection, which reflects her deep engagement with the political changes sweeping through Italy at the time.
Fortunately, the Browning Society of New York restored the old apartment, and in 1993, after approvals from authorities in Italy, the UK, and the US, ownership was officially transferred to Eton College. Today, for a small donation, you can step inside and see the place much as it looked when the Brownings called it home: spacious, filled with charm, and rich with literary history. Just ring the bell and you鈥檒l be let in鈥攏o stairs required, there鈥檚 an elevator too.
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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:
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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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
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