Among the streets of the historic center of Portobuffolè, which still retains its medieval and evocative appearance, you can visit the Gaia da Camino House Museum, which belonged to the powerful Da Camino family. This prestigious 13th-century residence was home to one of the first Italian poetesses in the Provençal language, Gaia da Camino, who was probably quite renowned across the peninsula at the time, so much so that Dante mentioned her in the 16th canto of Purgatory in the Divine Comedy.
In the Divine Comedy, Dante has the official Marco Lombardo speak of Gaia’s father, Gherardo, saying:
“By other surname I do not know him, If I did not take it from his daughter Gaia. God be with you, for I come no further with you.”
The architecture of the building, which spans four floors, exemplifies a medieval tower house, and the style of the splendid internal fresco cycles (14th–15th century) marks the transition from Gothic to Renaissance styles in the Alto Livenza area.
Today, Gaia da Camino’s house is not only a precious historical testament but also a museum that periodically hosts contemporary art exhibitions. The top two floors house one of Italy’s most important cycling museums: the Museo del Ciclismo Alto Livenza, dedicated to Giovanni Michieletto and Duilio Chiaradia.
© Marcadoc editorial team | 14/08/2024
