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City in Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Photo: Carlo Ferrari., CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Parma is a city in the province of Parma, part of the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Parma is famous for its food and rich gastronomical tradition: two of its specialties are Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (also produced in Reggio Emilia) and Prosciutto di Parma ("Parma ham").
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Duomo
The cathedral and the adjacent baptistery were built in the late 12th century. The frescoes inside the building are very moving, as well as the relief sculptures on the interior stone. The painting inside the dome of the cathedral is one of the most remarkable paintings of the Renaissance. Entitled Assumption of the Virgin by Correggio, it shows the Virgin Mary being taken up to Heaven. For dramatic effect it is superior to the Sistine Chapel and Titian himself is reputed to have acknowledged that he could not have achieved this effect. The prior who commissioned the work was rather conservative and Correggio never worked in Parma again.
The baptistery was designed by Benedetto Antelami and is constructed from a pink marble called rosso di Verona. The marble appears to change color depending on how the sun hits it. It is one of the most recognized medieval structures in the country.
Palazzo Vescovile
The Bishop's palace has a Romanesque appearance. Its construction began in the 11th century, then continued in the 15th, with some restorations made during the course of the 20th century.
The palace was named after the Basque ball game pelota once practised in one of the courtyards. It is a 16th-century complex of buildings constructed as court to the famed Renaissance Farnese family. It was said to be one of the finest in all of Italy. The Palazzo della Pilotta houses several museums: Archaeological Museum, Farnese Theatre, National Gallery, Palatine Library and Bodoni Museum.
Chamber of Saint Paul
A part of a former apartment of the abbess of the Benedectine Convent of Saint Paul. It's decorated by distinctive Renaissance frescoes.
During the Bourbon times it was a palace for important guests. It now hosts Poste centrale (central Post office), Società parmense di Lettura (Parma Literary society) and the Museo Glauco Lombardi.
The museum is a particularly interesting and well done. It is documenting the life of Maria Luigia (Marie Louise), the second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duchess of Parma. The museum is very personal and engaging with many artifacts and belongings of the gifted, talented and well-educated Maria. Well worth the visit.
Garibaldi Square
It is there a forum of the Roman Colony, founded in 183 BC. The square served as a hub over Via Aemilia, the ancient Roman road. Today the modern square contains shops and restaurants.
Governor's Palace
With a façade dating to 1760 and an astronomical clock.
Palazzo Comunale
The 13th-century town hall.
Monastery of San Giovanni Evangelista
The church has a Baroque facade, while the convent and it's cloisters are in Renaissance style.
San Giovanni Old pharmacy
An old pharmacy of the monastery.
A prominent Renaissance church.
Botanical garden
Giardino Ducale
The Ducal park was founded in the 16th century. In 18th century it was converted into a French park. On the western end of the park there is Peschiera, a fish-pond with a Baroque fountain Fontana del Trianon. A bit north-east of the pond there is rotunda of Tempietto d'Arcadia (aka Tempietto di Diana) and a bit further east a sculpture Sileno ed Egle (1765) by Baptiste Boudard (like all the other statues in the park).
Palazzo Ducale del Giardino
The palace was built in 16th century for Ottavio Farnese. In the 18th century, it was expanded. It's the headquarters of the Command of the Carabinieri Legion of Parma.
It is an interesting example of Renaissance architecture. There is a fresco there attributed to Parmigianino and walls painted by Cosimo da Piazza.
A rare example of hospital architecture. Today the building is home to numerous cultural institutions including the Municipal Archives State Archives, the Public Library, the Library Bizzozero, the Municipal Newspaper Library, the Balestrazzi Library and the Municipal Library.
A Romanesque church with 17th-century frescoes.
A Baroque church of an unusual form.
A massive 15th-century castle.
A typical restaurant to have dinner. Try some torta fritta, and prosciutto di Parma and all the other salami and coppa specialities from that region as a starter, followed by the typical tortelli. If you take Tris di Tortelli, you will enjoy that special type of pasta, one filled zucca (pumpkin), radicchio and ricotta e spinaci (spinach & cheese).
Excellent ristorante just off the Piazza del Duomo serving typical regional cuisine. Superb tortelli di zucca and a very interesting and creative appetizer of gelato of Parmesan cheese with a fig preserve and balsamic vinegar. Great food and wine in nice setting both inside and outside.
Excellent traditional restaurant in the city center recommended by the Slow Food editors. The guanciale (pork cheek) diavolo was tender, sweet and succulent with just the right amount of spiciness. The local specialty, anolini in brodo was also excellent.
A family-owned restaurant that has been around since 1917. They serve traditional food near the train station and are more of a local place as opposed to a tourist location. They are known for their salumi and handmade pastas, as well as their extensive wine list.
An ice cream shop. The nuns make a gelato in the shape of a flower in seconds.
Inaugurated at the end of 2011 and boasting its own private parking facilities, this friendly and courteous hotel is run by the Ghezzi family, which truly knows how to welcome its guests, providing information about major events in the area.
This is a beautifully decorated bed and breakfast about 20 minutes away from downtown Parma in the countryside bordering a national park. The ancient road between Rome and Canterbury, Via Francigena, runs right outside the villa. An excellent place to stay if you have your own transportation. The owner is an outgoing, friendly local with extensive knowledge of the entire region.
Via Trento. This 3-star hotel is in a central position of the city, a few metres from the train station and centre. Each of the hotel's 88 rooms is soundproofed. Also offers events organisation, dining in the characteristic San Barnaba restaurant or surfing the web from Internet points in the hotel reception.
Via Valenti 5/c. Short walk from the centre, in a large park, the villa belonging to a noble family of Parma has been open to guests since 1987. Hotel, quality restaurant and modern convention halls.
Borgo A.Mazza 7. In centre, an ancient monastery bombed during the Second World War. In the 1960s it was partially rebuilt and used as a hotel. Today, it continues its tradition of hospitality after a thorough restructuring aimed to revive the feeling of staying in nice home's atmosphere.
Centrally located, with a number of elegantly appointed suites. The Palazzo is on the quiet and historic Piazza del Duomo. It is located in a pedestrian zone but the owner or his assistant will make parking arrangements for you. The rooms are clean, elegant, spacious and comfortable with all modern amenities. The owner, Vittorio, and his assistant, Mattia, are gracious and helpful hosts. They speak English. In the evenings there is often an accordion player outside on the piazza playing great old classics.
By train
From the train station it is an easy walk into the historic city centre.
By bus
The bus station is next to the railway station.
By car
Milan is less than two hours north of Parma along the A1 autostrada.
Walk. Virtually everything in the historic city centre is within easy and leisurely walking distance. Sites across the river require a little more walking but still not too much.
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Parma (PR) · Regional · PMF
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