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    Parma

    Italy

    Parma

    CityCulture

    Parma is located in Emilia-Romagna on the Via Emilia and, with around 200,000 inhabitants, is the region's second-largest city after Bologna.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Italy
    7. Emilia-Romagna
    9. Parma
    Parma is located in Emilia-Romagna on the Via Emilia and, with around 200,000 inhabitants, is the region's second-largest city after Bologna. From the 16th century, it was the capital of a Duchy under the Farnese, and later the Bourbons; palaces, churches, and the opera house date from this period.Parma is especially known for Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano. UNESCO has designated Parma as a City of Gastronomy. In the Duomo and San Giovanni Evangelista, dome frescoes by Correggio can be seen.

    Sights in Parma

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Dom von Parma
    Church

    1Dom von Parma

    Romanesque 12th-century Cathedral on Piazza Duomo, consecrated in 1106. Correggio painted the dome between 1526 and 1530 with an illusionistic Assumption of Mary. In the right transept, the 1178 Descent from the Cross relief by Benedetto Antelami remains.
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    Teatro Regio
    Attraction

    2Teatro Regio

    The Opera House was opened on May 16, 1829, built under Duchess Marie-Louise. Parma is closely associated with Giuseppe Verdi, who was born in the province; every October, Festival Verdi takes place here.
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    Palazzo della Pilotta
    Museum

    3Palazzo della Pilotta

    Large Farnese palace complex, built around 1583. It houses the Galleria Nazionale, the National Archaeological Museum, the Biblioteca Palatina, and the 1618 Teatro Farnese, one of three extant Renaissance theaters and reportedly the first with a permanent proscenium stage.
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    Basilica di Santa Maria della Steccata
    Church

    4Basilica di Santa Maria della Steccata

    Renaissance church, built from 1521 to 1539 on the ground plan of a Greek cross. Parmigianino created frescoes in the chancel. Members of the Farnese and Bourbon-Parma families are buried in the crypt.
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    San Giovanni Evangelista
    Church

    5San Giovanni Evangelista

    Benedictine church directly behind the apse of the Cathedral, newly built between approximately 1498 and 1510. Correggio painted the dome with the Vision of John on Patmos. The monastery includes three cloisters and the Antica Spezieria, documented since 1201.
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    Baptistery
    Church

    6Baptistery

    Octagonal baptistery in pink Veronese marble by the Cathedral, begun 1196 by Benedetto Antelami, a Romanesque-Gothic transition. Exterior reliefs show animals and mythical creatures; the inner dome painted with 13th and 14th-century frescoes.
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    City walks in Parma

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Parma's Jewels: A Charming City Walk

    Discover the elegant city of Parma on this relaxed 2-hour walk. Immerse yourself in the rich history, admire impressive architecture and feel the authentic Italian flair that makes Parma so special.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (6)

    Food and Drink

    1

    Trattoria Corrieri Parma

    Large trattoria in the Old Town with cold cuts, local cheese and homemade pasta; outdoor seating available in summer.
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    2

    Osteria dei Servi

    Osteria west of Piazza Garibaldi with grilled meat and homemade pasta.
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    3

    Ristorante Gallo d'Oro Parma

    Restaurant with traditional cuisine from Parma, a few minutes south of Piazza Garibaldi.
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    4

    Ristorante La Greppia Parma

    Restaurant with Italian cuisine on Strada Garibaldi, near the Palazzo della Pilotta.
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    5

    Il Trovatore Ristorante

    Restaurant with Italian cuisine on Via Ireneo Affò in the north of the Old Town.
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    Food & Drink

    Parma's cuisine is based on products from the surrounding region.

    Prosciutto di Parma

    Air-dried ham, which may only be produced in the Parma area; according to current production regulations, it matures for at least 14 months.

    Parmigiano Reggiano

    Hard cheese, for which the region is world-renowned.

    Culatello di Zibello

    Salted and seasoned heart of ham from the hind leg, aged in the bladder, from the Po Plain, with Protected Designation of Origin (DOP).

    Anolini in broth

    Small filled pasta pockets in broth, a specialty of Parma.

    Tortelli d'erbetta

    Stuffed pasta pockets, a traditional specialty of Parma.

    History and Culture

    Founded in 183 BC as a Roman colony, Parma later served as a stop on the Via Francigena pilgrimage route. During the Middle Ages, its Cathedral and Baptistery were built, where the sculptor Benedetto Antelami left his mark. In the Renaissance, the painters Correggio and Parmigianino worked here.The Farnese, and later the Bourbons, ruled the Duchy; Duchess Marie-Louise commissioned the Teatro Regio, which opened in 1829. In 1860, Parma joined the Kingdom of Italy. Giuseppe Verdi was born in 1813 in Le Roncole, now part of Parma province; since 2003, the Teatro Regio has honored him every October with the Festival Verdi.

    Exploring locally

    The Old Town is compact, best explored on foot. For trips to local producers in the surrounding area, a car is practical.

    Accommodations in Parma

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    Campgrounds in Parma

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    Plan your trip to Parma

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    1. 1
      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      Trip to Parma

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      • 1Dom von Parma3 days
      • 2Teatro Regio4 days
      • 3Palazzo della Pilotta5 days
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    Nearby

    Modena

    Modena

    Modena lies on the southern edge of the Po Valley between Bologna and Parma and has around 184,000 inhabitants. The historic center clusters around Piazza Grande, home to the Romanesque Cathedral and Ghirlandina bell tower, a joint UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997.The city is known for its traditional balsamic vinegar and its automotive connection: Enzo Ferrari was born in Modena, and Maranello, with the Ferrari factory, lies south of the city.
    Mantua (Mantova)

    Mantua (Mantova)

    Mantua, set on three lakes formed by the Mincio, was the seat of the Gonzaga for almost four centuries. Their palaces, with frescoes by Mantegna and Giulio Romano, make the small city a Renaissance hub; since 2008, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site along with Sabbioneta.
    Sirmione

    Sirmione

    Sirmione sits on a narrow, four-kilometer peninsula on Lake Garda's southern shore. Enter the traffic-calmed old town through Scaliger Castle's gate; its northern tip holds the ruins of a Roman villa, and a hot thermal spring in the lake makes it a spa resort.
    Brescia

    Brescia

    Brescia, Lombardy's second-largest city, is often overlooked despite possessing significant Roman structures. The Capitolium (with its Roman Theatre) and the Longobard Monastery of Santa Giulia are UNESCO World Heritage sites; it also boasts Renaissance squares, two cathedrals, and a castle above the old town.
    Emilia-Romagna

    Emilia-Romagna

    Emilia-Romagna stretches across northern Italy from the Apennines over the Po Plain to the Adriatic coast; the Po forms its northern border. Along the ancient Roman road Via Emilia, cities like Piacenza, Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and Bologna, the region's capital, are strung.To the east, in the Romagna, lie Ravenna with its Byzantine mosaics and the Adriatic beach resorts around Rimini. The region is known for its cuisine, from Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano to balsamic vinegar and egg pasta.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI