Parma is a provincial Italian town founded by the Gauls before our era. Since then, the city has grown significantly, gained a confident status and recognition not only in Italy, but also in the world. The atmosphere of lazy comfort, elegance and prosperity wonderfully fit into the architecture of its ancient streets. An overview of Parma with its sights you will find further in the article.
A bit about the city
Parma is located in the north of the country within the Emilia-Romagna region. From the very moment of its foundation, the city was passed from hand to hand. He managed to be ruled by the Romans, Lombards, Franks, and even Spain and France. Parma joined Italy only in 1860.
The change of government did not prevent the city from developing as a commercial, agricultural and cultural center. Therefore, the best place for cultural, educational and gastronomic tourism is precisely Parma, Italy.
The sights of the city are ancient squares, churches and cathedrals, monasteries, palaces, beautiful parks and numerous museums. What is the University of Parma - one of the first higher educational institutions in Italy.
Popular not only the architectural attractions of Parma. Many come here for culinary delights. The city produces the world famous Parmesan cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano, as it is called here. The demanded local dishes are tortelli d'erbetta, anolini in brodo and Parma prosciutto.
Parma Attractions
The lion's share of the city’s iconic spots is located in the Parma-Centro quarter. Garibaldi Square is one of the main squares. Here is the city hall with a sundial of the 16th century, the neoclassical church of St. Peter, built in the first century.
Right next to Garibaldi Square is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Fence. According to legend, it was built after the face of the Virgin Mary appeared on one of the walls of the city. The Parma dukes are buried in this church.
The second most popular is the Duomo Square. It is the symbol of the city - the Cathedral. Outside, it was often rebuilt, but inside were preserved the paintings of Correggio, sculptures of the masters Antelami and Agrate, as well as a mosaic of early Christian times.
Many of Parma's sights are places of worship. Among them, a baptistery of an unusual octagonal shape made of pink marble. Not far from it is the abbey of St. John the Evangelist, including a monastery. Attention is also worthy of the Church of St. Vitaly, the Church of the Holy Cross, the Church of Our Lady near military apartments, the Carthusian monastery.
Palaces of the city
The sights of Parma include magnificent palaces owned by the local nobility. One of the oldest is the Bozelli Palace. He appeared in Parma in the 14th century. It once belonged to the Bergonza family, but was bought out by the Bozelli family, whose property remains to this day.
This also includes the Pilott Palace, which received the name from the name of the ball game common at court. Within its walls is the Farnese Theater, library, archaeological museum, the National Gallery with the works of Da Vinci, Tintoretto and Correggio.
The palace of Ducale, like Pilott, belonged to the Farnese family. The Duke of Ottavio built it in the second half of the 16th century. Part of it was badly damaged in World War II. However, Bossi’s murals and stucco, depicting more than 200 species of birds, and other rooms with murals are still preserved: Alchina Hall, Hall of Kisses, Hall of the Golden Age.
The green corners of Parma
There are many objects that may surprise the tourist of Parma. Sightseeing is difficult to see in one day, because in the arsenal of the city there are also beautiful parks. The Ducal Park at the palace of the same name was designed by various architects, sometimes in Italian, then in French, or even in the English style. Twenty hectares of the garden are decorated with fountains, mythological sculptures and antique vases.
Another park is located near the popular attractions of Parma - the citadel. Only a few walls and the main gate remain from the building itself. They say that it was this fort that became the prototype for the fortress in Stendhal’s work “Parma Monastery”. The park has the appearance of a pentagonal star, repeating the shape of the former fortification, there is a lot of greenery and cozy enough for a walk.
The famous university owns a botanical garden, founded in 1770. Most of its plants are rare, many of them grow only within Italy. His collection is constantly updated with new specimens of an unusual and unique flora.