Visitors to the Keats-Shelley House on the Spanish Steps in Rome will soon be able to enjoy a cup of English tea and a slice of typical English cake in a small café which is to be opened on the premises, reports ANSA.
The house, where the poet John Keats died in 1821, is also dedicated to Shelley and contains memorabilia of both poets: you can see a lock of Keats’s hair, his death mask, some letters and valuable first editions of his work. There are first editions of Shelley’s work and fragments of his bones. A lock of Elizabeth Barrettt Browning’s hair and some mementoes of Byron are also on display. The house has a gift shop which, for this Christmas, will be stocking Christmas cards containing a quote from Keats.
The house was saved by a group of American literati in the early twentieth century and, as a museum, it is completely self-funded.
Next year the curators intend to open up the terrace so that visitors can enjoy a view over Baroque Rome whilst sipping their tea.
The Keats-Shelley House is open on the following days and times:
Monday to Friday: 10.00 – 13.00 and 14.00 – 18.00.
Saturday: 11.00 – 14.00 and 15.00 – 18.00.
Closed on Sundays but open on most holidays.
Admission:
Adults: €4.00
Children and senior citizens: €3.00
