Parma is a wealthy, bustling town in northern Italy with a long history: it was an Etruscan settlement first, then a Roman colony; then an important regional centre throughout the Middle Ages.
Parma is a prosperous and attractive historic town ; it is famous for its fine cheese (parmigiano or parmesan) and ham.
The name “Parma” is most likely Etruscan in origin and was certainly in place by the time the Romans moved in more than 2,000 years ago.
The visit of the city of Parma begins from the view of Piazza Duomo characterized by three buildings: the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Bishop’s Palace.
The Cathedral is one of the highest expression of Romanesque architecture in Italy with a latin cross plan and a beautiful facade with a pitched roof. Inside the church we can find some masterpieces like the fresco by Correggio showing the Assumption of the Virgin and like the Deposition of Benedetto Antelami.
The Baptistery , considered the transition between Romanesque to Gothic architecture, is due to the Antelami: the plan of the building is octagonal and the facade in pink verona marble.
Near the Duomo Square we find them Monastery of St. John characterized by the Church, the Convent and the Ancient Benedectine Apothecary’s.
In the centre of the town we have also the Church of Madonna della Steccata, a splendid Renaissance church.
Near the the Steccata we have the neoclassical Teatro Regio one of the most renowned theatres in Italy.
The visit of Parma continues in the Ducal Park, an example of a french style garden, which houses the Ducal Palace ; then we can see the Town Hall and the Governor’s Palace in the central Piazza Garibaldi , the House of Music and the Auditorium Paganini designed by the famous italian architect Renzo Piano.
The impressive Teatro Farnese, a wooden structured copy of Palladios theatre in Vicenza, is part of Parma's extensive Palazzo della Pilotta, in Piazza della Pace.
