Attractions in Parma: the main places

Parma - a provincial Italian town, founded by 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 miraculously blended with the architecture of its ancient streets. Overview of Parma with attractions you will find further in the article.

A little about the city

Parma is located in the north of the country within the Emilia-Romagna region. Since its inception, the city has been handed over from hand to hand. He managed to visit the Romans, the Lombards, the Franks, and even Spain and France. Italy joined Parma only in 1860.

The change of authorities did not prevent the city from developing as a trade, agricultural and cultural center. Therefore, the best place for cultural, educational and gastronomic tourism is Parma, Italy.

Sights of the city are ancient squares, churches and cathedrals, monasteries, palaces, beautiful parks and numerous museums. What only stands Parma University - one of the first institutions of higher education in Italy.

Not only the architectural attractions of Parma are popular. Many people come here for culinary delights. The city produces the world famous Parmesan cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano, as it is called here. The popular local dishes are tortelli d'erbetta, anolini in brodo and Parma prosciutto.

Parma, Italy: attractions

The lion's share of the iconic places of the city is in the Parma-Centro quarter. The Garibaldi square is one of the main squares. Here is the town hall with a sundial of the XVI century, the neoclassical church of St. Peter built in the first century.

Right next to the square of Garibaldi 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. In this church, the Parma dukes are buried.

The second most popular is the Duomo Square. It is the symbol of the city - the Cathedral. Outside, he often rebuilt, but inside there are the Correggio paintings, the sculptures of the masters Antoni and Agrate, and also the mosaic of the early Christian times.

Many of Parma's attractions are cult buildings. Among them, an unusual octagonal baptistery made of pink marble. Not far from it is the abbey of John the Theologian, including a monastery. Attention is also worthy of the Church of St. Vitaly, the Church of the Cross of the Lord, the Church of Our Lady near the military apartments, the Carthusian Monastery.

Palaces of the city

Attractions in Parma include magnificent palaces belonging to the local nobility. One of the oldest is the palace of Bozelli. He appeared in Parma in the XIV century. Once it belonged to the genus Bergontsi, but it was bought by the family of Bozelli, whose property remains today.

This includes the palace of Pilotta, which received the name from the name of the game with the ball prevalent at court. Within its walls is the Farnese Theater, a library, an archaeological museum, the National Gallery with the works of Da Vinci, Tintoretto and Correggio.

Dukale Palace, like the Pilot, 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 the Second World War. However, still there are paintings and stucco moldings of Bossi depicting more than 200 species of birds, and other rooms with murals: the Alchyna Hall, the Kissing Room, the Golden Age Hall.

Green corners of Parma

There are many objects that a tourist of Parma can surprise. Sightseeing in one day is difficult to see, 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, then in Italian, then in French, and even in English style. Twenty hectares of the garden are decorated with fountains, mythological sculptures and antique vases.

Another park is located near the popular attraction of Parma - the citadel. From the building itself there were only a few walls and the main gate. It is said that it was this fort that became the prototype for the fortress in the work of Stendhal "Parma abode". The park has the appearance of a pentagonal star, repeating the shape of the former fortification, there is a lot of greenery and is cozy enough for a walk.

The famous university has a botanical garden, founded in 1770. Most of its plants are rare, many of them grow only within Italy. His collection is constantly supplemented by new specimens of an unusual and unique flora.