Parma City rich in history and culture

The historic center of Parma is marked by three large poles: Piazza Garibaldi, partly home to the Roman forum, center of municipal life where stands the Governor’s Palace, with its Baroque tower, which preserves the bell of the very high civic tower collapsed in 1606, the Virgin crowned in the niche of the bell tower and the two sundials dating back to 1829. Piazza Duomo, where the highest artistic and religious expressions of the city stand with the Cathedral dedicated to the Assumption, among the most representative Romanesque-Padan buildings of the period, begun around 1059 and consecrated in 1106; the Baptistery, building symbol of the transition from late Romanesque to Gothic, covered with pink marble of Verona, started in 1196 and completed in 1307 and the Vescovado, dating back to the XI-XII century. The current version has been reworked several times since the beginning of the 20th century.

Finally, Piazza della Pilotta, today Piazzale della Pace, symbol of ducal power with the Monumental Complex of the Pilotta, an ancient service building of the Farnese family. Inside, it houses the Archaeological Museum, the beautiful Palatina library, the National Gallery and the Farnese Theatre, whose outdoor courtyard every summer is a place for shows and concerts. The city center, rich in artistic masterpieces, spacious green areas, small and large treasures of different eras, welcomes visitors and citizens in a refined atmosphere of a small capital. Parma is a city that can be visited at any time of the year.

Discover what to visit in Parma

Duomo e battistero

Along with the Baptistery, Parma Cathedral is one of the most important monuments of the city for its beauty and historical importance.

Regio Theatre

The Teatro Regio di Parma, considered among the most prestigious and well-known in the world, was inaugurated on 16 May 1829 with Zaira, an opera specially composed for the occasion by Vincenzo Bellini.

Ducal Park

It has always been the “garden” of Parma. Built in 1561 as a private park, it was opened to the public only after the unification of Italy.

Pilotta Palace

Immense complex that takes its name from the game of Pelota, houses inside, among other things, the magnificent Palatine Library.

Palatina Library

The Palatine Library of Parma is a public library located inside the Palazzo della Pilotta. The name originates from the temple of Apollo Palatine of Rome.

Farnese Theatre

Built in 1618 on the first floor of Palazzo Pilotta, the theatre is made entirely of wood and decorated with faux marble.

Sanctuary Santa Maria della Steccata

The church of the Steccata, a splendid example of Parmesan Renaissance architecture, was built on land that was once revered for a popular religious tradition.

Governor’s Palace and Piazza Garibaldi

Ideal location for temporary exhibitions and exhibitions, the Governor’s Palace dominates the central Piazza Garibaldi in Parma and tells a story that goes back over 700 years ago.

What to visit