Keats-Shelley House
The Basics
English poet John Keats moved into this house at the base of the Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna in late 1820, and died from tuberculosis here just a few months later. While the objects in his room were burned after he died, a replica of his bed and his death mask are now on display. The rest of this small museum contains letters, art, and other objects related to Byron, Elizabeth and Robert Browning, Oscar Wilde, and Percy Bysshe Shelley (whose name is on the house, though he never lived here). The historic site is managed by the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association, which often holds literary events in English at the museum.
Rome walking and bike tours that include a stop in Piazza di Spagna can include a visit to the Keats-Shelley House, as well as other city highlights like the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum.
Things to Know Before You Go
The Keats-Shelley House is an especially interesting attraction for English literature and poetry buffs.
The museum’s gift shop sells English-language books and objects related to Romantic poetry.
You must leave large bags in the entrance.
Photography is allowed without flash.
Though the museum is accessible to wheelchairs inside, there are stairs to reach the entrance. Contact the museum to arrange for transportation up the stairs.
How to Get There
The Keats-Shelley House is at in Piazza di Spagna, on the right side of the base of the Spanish Steps. It is easily reached from metro line A’s Spagna stop.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The museum is open 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm Monday to Saturday; it is closed Sunday as well as December 8 and December 24 through January 1. It’s busiest from Easter to October, when you should plan to arrive first thing in the morning to explore before the crowds arrive.
Joseph Severn
Keats lived in the Rome house with artist friend Joseph Severn, whose portraits of the poet hang in various places around the museum.
- Things to do in Lake Bracciano
- Things to do in Lake Bolsena
- Things to do in Assisi
- Things to do in Siena
- Things to do in Naples
- Things to do in Capri
- Things to do in Pompeii
- Things to do in San Gimignano
- Things to do in Sorrento
- Things to do in Florence
- Things to do in Pisa
- Things to do in Bologna
- Things to do in Lazio
- Things to do in Umbria
- Things to do in Tuscany
- Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna)
- Barcaccia Fountain (Fontana della Barcaccia)
- Trinità dei Monti
- Piazza di Spagna
- Antico Caffè Greco
- Basilica di Sant'Andrea delle Fratte
- Via Condotti (Via dei Condotti)
- Villa Medici
- Piazza Barberini
- Rome Via del Corso
- Basilica di San Lorenzo in Lucina
- Capuchin Crypt (Cripta dei Frati Cappuccini)
- Church of Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins (Santa Maria della Concezione dei Capucchini)
- Triton Fountain (Fontana del Tritone)
- Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)