Bourgeois both in its appearance and in its soul, Parma is a beautiful city; it has been dedicated to commerce since its foundation, with an artistic and cultural heritage known throughout the world, as well as its musical tradition (closely linked to Maestro Giuseppe Verdi) and the food and wine, typical of Emilia.
There are many who say that Parma is visited in half a day and, in part, this statement is true: its historic center is circumscribed, and indeed you can walk around and take a look at the most significant monuments and buildings; but if you want to know the city in its essence, then you have to broaden the borders and also visit the surrounding areas that hide precious treasures and secrets all to discover!
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What to see in Parma
As mentioned, the things to see in Parma are really numerous and the advice is to start right from the historic center, rich in history and culture where, between a visit, you can sit at the table of a historic trattoria to taste the best typical dishes!
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The Duomo
Dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, the Cathedral of Parma (which coincides with the Duomo) is located in Piazza Duomo next to the Baptistery and the Bishop’s Palace, in the center. Built in Romanesque style and later enriched with Renaissance and Gothic details, it is equipped with a bell-tower of 63 meters. Its interior is a Latin cross with three naves and the octagonal dome was frescoed by Correggio.
The Baptistery
Built in the eleventh century and consecrated in the next, the Baptistery of Parma is among the most significant expressions of the transition from Romanesque to Gothic. Specially made for the celebration of the rite of baptism, it has an octagonal structure and its dome was frescoed in Byzantine style.
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The Palazzo della Pilotta and the Farnese Theatre
The Palazzo della Pilotta owes its name to the game of pelota, similar to volleyball, that nobles played inside its courtyards. Its construction dates back to the late sixteenth century and its use was, initially, that of barracks. Later, it became court theatre and with Philip of Bourbon began to host the Palatine Library, the Archaeological Museum, the Bodoniano Museum and the National Gallery of Parma.
Also at the end of the sixteenth century dates the construction of the Farnese Theatre, a building entirely made of wood totally restored after the bombings of World War II.
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Teatro Regio
Among the most important theatres in Italy, the Teatro Regio is in neoclassical style, with an audience decorated in white and gold and a huge chandelier that can illuminate it completely. Every year it hosts the Verdi Festival, which takes place in October and attracts tourists from all over the world.
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The Ducal Park and the Garden Palace
Following the unification of Italy, the Ducal Park was renovated and opened to the public. Inside is the Palazzo del Giardino, also known as Palazzo Ducale, dating back to 1561 and restored in the mid-eighteenth century. The park houses a number of facilities that guests can enjoy, such as fountains, sports paths, playgrounds, bars and benches.
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The Basilica of Santa Maria della Steccata
Built in the mid-sixteenth century, the Basilica of Santa Maria della Steccata has wonderful vaults, frescoed by the masters of the Parma school of the seventeenth century, and a pipe organ of 1574. It is currently the seat of the Constantinian Museum of the Steccata.
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The Fortress of Fontanellato
Just outside the center is Fontanellato, a town known for its beautiful fortress dating back to the fifteenth century. Visiting it means discovering two other very important attractions of the village: the room of Diana and Actaeon, frescoed by Parmigianino, and the Camera Ottica, the only active in Italy that through a game of prisms reflects on special screens the square below.
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The Labyrinth of the Masone
A few minutes from Fontanellato there is the largest maze in the world: it is the Labyrinth of the Masone, a path in nature that covers 7 hectares of land. Commissioned by Franco Maria Ricci, it was inaugurated in 2015 and has always attracted the attention of millions of people. The visit to the labyrinth also allows you to admire a beautiful art exhibition consisting of 400 works made between the sixteenth and twentieth centuries.
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The Royal Palace of Colorno
Another interesting point is the Palace of Colorno, known (and renamed) as the “little Versailles of the Dukes of Parma”. Its structure is immense, consisting of over 400 rooms, as well as courtyards and courtyards and an extraordinary French garden. Inside the Palace you can admire the main floor, the apartments of the dukes, the Chapel of San Liborio and the Astronomical Observatory.
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What to eat in Parma
Parma is the second largest city in Emilia Romagna (just after Bologna) and is known in any part of the world not only for its artistic heritage, but also and above all for its food and wine tradition.
That is why when visiting the city it is obligatory to sit at the table of a well-known local trattoria to taste its typical dishes:
- fried cake: also known as fried dumpling, is made with white flour dough, extra virgin olive oil, lard, water and salt. It is usually served with cold cuts, with which it is stuffed to taste it better;
- anolini: this is a dish very dear to the city and consists of an egg pasta with a circular shape, filled with overcooked beef, parmesan cheese, stale bread, egg yolk and spices. They are served in broth, but also with butter and sage;
- Tagliolini with culatello: another traditional dish based on egg pasta served with culatello. The latter is cut into strips, browned with butter and sage and then cooked (together with noodles), in broth;
- pumpkin tortelli: another stuffed egg pasta, this time with pumpkin. The result is a very delicate dish, served categorically with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese;
- cavàl pist: this is the famous horse pesto, that is horse meat minced and served raw, flavored with garlic, oil and lemon;
- rice bomb: consists of a timbale of rice in the form of a dome and stuffed with meat, in particular that of pigeon;
- rosa di Parma: it is a second dish that includes three main components of local cuisine, namely Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano and Lambrusco;
- crumble: super sweet typical of the north composed of white and yellow flour, sugar and almonds crumbled very coarsely.
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Who wants to know Parma in its entirety, should book a stay in October, on the occasion of the Verdi Festival: between one opera and another, it is recommended to visit the most important places (in the city and around) and stop at local restaurants and trattorias to delight heart and mind. Parma is a city that does not disappoint. Try it!
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