The medieval part of the village develops around Rome Square, with ContariniPalace facing a 14th century building.
To complete the view, the archpriest church of S. Maria (dating just after the year one thousand) enriched by a pictorial complex in the Byzantine style with some Giotto’s influence. Noteworthy the painting “The Ascension” by Palma il Giovane.
In the middle of the parvis the sarcophagus with Petrarca’s mortal remains carved in Verona red marble.
Along the descending road, below the parvis, there’s a fountain with washtubs, the so called Petrarca’s fountain”, because of the legend that attributes its building to the Poet, even if it probably dates back to 1200.
The Latin phrase attributed to Quarenghi is engraved on the front arch in Nanto stone "Fonti numen inest , hospes: venerare liquorem, unde bibens cecinit digna Petrarcha deis" (A god lives in this source, or stranger: he venerates this water, drinking which Petrarch could sing divine verses).

Next to the fountain there are two historic houses, the first one in Gothic style the second one (dating back to 13th century) with a roof garden.

Arquà is renowned for its welcome to the poet Francesco Petrarca (1364): the poet lived here permanently from 1370 to his death (1374).
The poet’s description of the place is revealing:

“Vasti boschi di castagni, noci, faggi, frassini, roveri coprivano i pendii di Arquà, ma erano soprattutto la vite, l’olivo e il mandorlo che contribuivano a creare il suggestivo e tipico paesaggio arquatense».
(Wide chestnut, walnut, beech, ash, durmast woods covered Arquà slopes, but above all the vines, the olives and the almonds contributed to create the charm and the typical atmosphere of the place)
(from a document of the Civic Museum in Padova).

Finally a suggestion:
If you stay at Arquà for a few days go and visit Monselice (15-20 minutes), Este (15-20 min) and Montagnana (20-30 minutes)..

We certainly don’t forget the local products, with their old time taste: the oil, the “bigoli al torchio” (a sort of spaghetti made with a special press), the veal, the pork and in particular the “brodo di giuggiole” (jujube stock), a neglected fruit nowadays impossible to find in the supermarkets.

A note:
jujube broth is a compound liqueur made from wilted jujubes.
The jujube is a plant from Syria, now also cultivated in Italy and is typical of the Euganean Hills area.

For more info:
www.arquapetrarca.com
wikipedia:Arquà Petrarca
www.collieuganei.it: casa del Petrarca