From the Cathedral to the Baptistery, from the Ducal Park to the Spezieria di San Giovanni: the best things to do and see in Parma, city of art and music.
City of art par excellence, birthplace of Arturo Toscanini, home to music, universities and good food,Parmait is a capital ofEmilia Romagnaas suggestive as it is pleasant.
In ancient times it wasCapital of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenzaand, of that golden age, it still retains memories, palaces, parks and splendid monuments. In 2015, UNESCO named it a "Creative City" for gastronomy and, walking through its historic centre, it is easy to understand why.
READ ALSO:Itinerary between the Castles of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza
WHAT TO SEE IN PARMA
To visit the main points of interest you may even need just one day since everything, apart from the Royal Palace of Colorno and the Certosa (for which you will need to travel by car), revolves around the ancientBig Square, today Piazza Garibaldi, completely pedestrianized. To make your job easier, I leave you a list of 10 things you absolutely must do and see if you are in the city.
PARMA CATHEDRAL
The city's original cathedral was almost entirely destroyed by the earthquake of 1117 and rebuilt at the end of the following century in Po Valley Romanesque style. The facade is covered with yellow sandstone slabs, typical of the Apennines, and has three large portals. Characteristic is the sixteenth-century dome which depicts the Ascension of the Madonna, by the artist Correggio.
PARMA BAPTISTRY
Next to the Duomo, majestic and imposing, stands the Baptistery. With its octagon shape and cladding in pink and red Verona marble, it is a real eye-catcher.
BISHOP'S PALACE
It stands right in front of the Cathedral, in the same square, and is the seat of the Bishop of Parma. Inside there is the Diocesan Museum where the new virtual Baptistery is also visible.
SPICERY OF SAN GIOVANNI
It is located behind the Cathedral, next to the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista, and has the advantage of being a more unique than rare "piece". The apothecary preserves pharmacy jars, jugs and mortars for the preparation of medicines, and is today managed by the Benedictine Friars.
PILOTTA PALACE
It is one of the symbols of the ancient ducal power, as well as of the entire city of Parma. The Pilotta palace was built between 1500 and 1600 and takes its name from the game of "Basque pelota". Imposing and immense, this complex "hosts" within it the Palatine Library, the National Archaeological Museum and the Bodonian Museum.
GLAUCO LOMBARDI MUSEUM
This particular museum, which is located right in front of the Palazzo della Pilotta, was built in Colorno and then transferred to Parma. Inside there are relics and testimonies of ancient ducal life, such as the mantle of Maria Luigia and the letters from the King of Rome and Napoleon to the Duchess.
PALACE AND DUCAL PARK
The Parco Ducale rises beyond the Parma river, a tributary of the Po, and is very reminiscent of the style of French parks. Inside there is the Palazzo Ducale where some mannerist works inspired by the themes of Orlando Furioso and created by Bertoja, Mirola and Carracci are kept.
ARTURO TOSCANINI'S BIRTHPLACE
Arturo Toscanini was born in Parma on 25 March 1867 and here he cultivated his passion for music which made him famous throughout the world. His birthplace is located in the popular neighborhood of Oltretorrente, just to the left of the main entrance to the Parco Ducale, and today it has become a museum.
PALACE OF COLORNO
With over 400 rooms and a wonderful French garden, the Royal Palace of Colorno is an enormous architectural structure that stands in the center of Colorno, about 30 minutes' drive from Parma. It was the home of the Sanseverino, the Farnese, the Bourbons and, finally, also of Maria Luigia of Austria to whom the Congress ofVienna, in 1815, entrusted the Duchy of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalia.
PARMA CERTOSA
Known by the name of Certosa di San Girolamo, for about 500 years it was the seat of a Carthusian monastery. If you are wondering if it is possible to visit it from the inside, the answer is "unfortunately no"! Of course, you can always try, like I did when I showed up at the reception and asked: "Excuse me, can I take some photos?". The response was categorical: "Look, the Certosa is a Police Academy"...
Beyond this list of "10 things to do and see", if you are in the historic center of Parma I also recommend a visit to the Teatro Regio, the House of Music, the Niccolò Paganini Auditorium and the House of Sound. If you need accommodation, you can consult insteadthis linkwith many offers for B&Bs and hotels in the area.
3 comments
Città notevole non presente, purtroppo, nel mio curriculum. Se continuo a visitare il Bel Paese in occasione dei vari ponti non arriverò mai a conoscerla tutta 😉