Parma is one of the most stunning cities in Italy‘s Emilia Romagna region. You can expect a lively, beautiful street and top-notch cuisine!
The Classical Cathedral, Roman Monuments, Renaissance Art, and renowned Opera House will all capture the hearts of art and culture lovers!
Food Lovers, assemble! This city is famous for its food! Parma is the birthplace of the famous cheese, and visiting a dairy factory to see skilled cheesemakers transform milk into Parmigiano Reggiano is one of the city’s most well-liked activities among tourists!
By the end of this blog, you will be able to classify many reasons why going to Parma should be on your bucket list!
Keep reading!
Visit the magnificent medieval baptistery in Parma
A place to explore artworks in Gothic architecture!
The stunning Parma Baptistery, constructed of Verona marble and completed in 1196, is regarded as one of Europe’s most significant medieval monuments because of its distinctive design! The baptistery combines elements of the Romanesque and Gothic architectural eras, illustrating the transition of European architecture from the Romanesque to the Gothic. Particularly stunning is the baptistery’s ceiling, which features exquisite paintings.
The splendour that awaits inside is understated by its simple pink and white marble facade, and its interior is filled with mesmerising paintings. There are local guides who can explain the building’s splendour in depth. It’s a tiny structure but packs a powerful punch regarding the art and history to explore! Never miss exploring this gem!
The Palazzo della Pilotta and National Gallery
The enormous brick Palazzo della Pilotta, which faces Piazzale Marconi, was started in 1583 but never completed. National institutions of art and archaeology, a printing museum, a medieval theatre, and the stunning Biblioteca Palatina are all housed within the magnificent palace!
History and art lovers must go to the national gallery, which houses most of the city’s artwork! There are more than 700 works on display here, ranging from the famous unfinished painting Head of a Woman by Leonardo da Vinci to the intriguing oil painting ‘Turkish Slave‘ by well-known local artist Parmigianino.
This gallery is well worth the journey due to its numerous exhibitions focused on anything from the art of Parma in the 14th century to Correggio’s High Renaissance paintings.
A Day trip to Torrechiara
Looking to go for a day trip?
The quiet rural village of Torrechiara provides a unique experience if you’re seeking a day trip from Parma! This picturesque village is located south of Parma and can be reached by highway in about 35 minutes. On the way there, you’ll pass through some breathtaking Italian countryside.
The village’s primary draw is the magnificent Castello di Torrechiara, built in the 1400s. This enormous building dominates the settlement and sits haughtily on a tiny hill, affording it magnificent views of the area.
While the castle’s exterior design is still in excellent shape, the inside has been beautifully kept and includes several exquisitely adorned chambers!
Castle of the Burattini
This free museum, located on the first floor of the Monastery of San Paolo, is next to the Camera di San Paolo and features hand puppets from all over Italy and those created by four generations of the Ferrari family of Parma.
Each area has a miniature theatre where the hand puppets are on show, accompanied by additional puppet exhibits, playbills, posters, photos, and stage props.
The characters in the stories, which are also developed here, are given unique faces and attire. The same goes for the set pieces and props. Historic puppet shows performed by the Ferraris are available as films.
Santa Maria della Steccata Sanctuary
Another breathtaking beauty!
The Sanctuary of Santa Maria della, another excellent church in the heart of Parma, boasts a Renaissance style and is a stunning structure!
While the outside construction is symmetrical and includes several circular towers, the inside is beautiful and contains several colourful frescos and intricate decorations.
Although the ceilings of each of the four concentric towers are ornamented with gold, the centrepiece is the central dome. The main fresco is painted in vivid colours with lots of blues and was partially painted by renowned Parma artist Bernardino Gatti!
Visit Teatro Regio to watch the opera
The inside of one of Italy’s best theatres, the neoclassical Teatro Regio, will astound you despite its unassuming exterior. When it was constructed in 1829 as the Ducal Theatre, it was the marvel of its day!
Given that it has a reputation for having the most demanding audience in Italy, particularly for the works of Giuseppe Verdi, Parma draws opera fans from all over the world from January through early April, as well as in September and October for the traditional Verdi festival.
Don’t forget to wander around Parma University’s Grounds
A good location for plant lovers!
You’d be pleasantly pleased to see botanical gardens at a university on the Viale Martiri della Liberta in Parma! The glasshouses were constructed two decades after the gardens were established in 1770. Over 2000 species can be found on the expansive grounds!
The garden’s goal is to preserve all plant species, including species that aren’t in their natural habitat, to benefit future generations. There are many different plant species, including seagrasses, Lemna plants, and many tree species. You’ll also get the opportunity to see tropical plants and berries when touring the greenhouses.
Beautiful gems are everywhere in Parma! The city is filled with gorgeous, vibrant, quaint towns, fantastic cuisine, and stunning architecture!
I hope this blog convinces you to visit this stunning city soon!
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