Location: Parma
Top Things to do in Parma
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Top 10 Things to do in Parma, Emilia-Romagna
Best known for its incredibly edible contributions to world gastronomy (especially parmigiano cheese and Parma ham), Parma has also been revered by opera lovers (who flock to its Teatro Regio) since the days of Verdi, who was born in nearby Roncole. Parma’s many historic sights include the 11th-century cathedral and its baptistry. Begun in the 12th century, it's considered one of medieval Europe’s most important buildings for its straddling of the Romanesque and Gothic architecture periods.
Restaurants in Parma
1. Teatro Farnese
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,251 reviews
Splendida ricostruzione di teatro farnesiano nel palazzo della pilotta
Reviewed By whitefish8
Great to visit this amazing theatre with very few people (there were two others when we visited). The Fornastetti plates sitting in seats was a great idea. This theatre is early 17th C and you can see all the ancient beams as you walk behind. Really kool.
2. Caseificio San Pier Damiani
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 175 reviews
Cheese factory producing handcrafted Parmesan cheese since 1965. Opportunity to visit the factory and to attend at milk transformation from the curd to the round of Parmesan cheese. Tasting point.
Reviewed By stephanief870
We had a wonderful tour with Roberta this morning. She was lovely and enthusiastic about the traditional Parmigiano Reggiano cheese-making process. The tour held the attention of all three kids (11-17) and us parents too. The visit was easy to coordinate and the drive there was beautiful as well. 5 stars!
3. Monastero di San Giovanni Evangelista
4. Cattedrale di Parma
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,526 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
The cathedral is a must-see and was one of the highlights of our day trip to Parma. It is right next door to the Baptistery, so you can see both together. An added bonus is that entry is free. The only drawback is that there is not a lot of information inside - there are some English and Italian signs but not much. We didn't do a tour and in hindsight, it would have been helpful to have at least read something about it beforehand. MAIN FEATURES • The walls of the entire nave are painted with colourful scenes from the Bible, telling the story of Jesus’ life and Old Testament stories. • The Cupola is painted with a 3D perspective by Correggio (1526). The 3D effect is quite incredible. Mary is ascending to Heaven in a whirlpool of clouds and angels. It amused us that the artist had discreetly painted Mary with her dress and robes tucked modestly in around her legs and her feet dangling - not very dignified way. I guess it was a bit of a problem to paint a realistic 3D image and not have Mary with her dress billowing out above the heads of the congregation below. • The Deposition by Benedetto Antelami – this one is easy to miss because it is tucked away on the right hand side of the church. It is a large stone plaque fixed to the side wall so it’s much plainer than the frescoed walls or cupola and doesn't grab your attention. It is dated from 1178 and was most likely part of an altar. Jesus is at the centre, his lifeless body being supported by John as he is taken down from the cross. On the right, Roman soldiers are gambling between themselves for Jesus’ clothes. We puzzled at first over a lot of small holes punched across the stonework. It turns out that each of the holes would have been studded with a precious jewel which made us realise that the sculpture would have looked quite different in its's day and definitely didn't always look this plain. • I particularly liked the 2 stylised stone lions flanking the outside doors – they made a great photo.
5. Battistero di Parma
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,869 reviews
Reviewed By dyonai - Tel Aviv, Israel
This octagonal was build at the end of the 12th century, while transition from Romanesque to Gothic style. Inside it is covered with frescoes from foundation to the top.A unique Medival monument.
6. Camera di San Paolo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 468 reviews
Reviewed By 968nicholash - London, United Kingdom
This single room has some of the most amazing frescoes among all the many great examples I saw on my visit to the Emilia Romagna region. They are deeply disruptive, portraying some distinctly unpleasant behaviour by a whole range of very naughty Putti! A must see if you come to Parma.
7. Basilica di Santa Maria della Steccata (Madonna della Steccata)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 488 reviews
Reviewed By FrequentFlier734242 - Moscow, Russia
This Church in honor of our lady was built in 1521 -1539 in imitation of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. It was painted by Parmigianino (1530-1540), a famous portrait painter and engraver. There is also the tomb of the Dukes of the house of Farnese and the Bourbons.
8. National Gallery (Galleria Nazionale)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 540 reviews
Reviewed By WhapoFishShack - South Lake Tahoe, United States
I really enjoyed this Gallery. A wonderful selection and presented in an interesting way in a lovely setting. Don't miss the library with special exhibitions!
9. Parco Ducale
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,343 reviews
Reviewed By Snoekvis
Just lovely. A stroll through this park at any time of year is an utter joy. It is beautifully designed and maintained, with broad walkways that children can run or ride their bikes on. Good place for a picnic, too. And there's a duckpond and fountains to boot. Very central and easy to get to. Don't miss it.
10. Palazzo della Pilotta
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 613 reviews
Reviewed By veciaf53 - Reggio Emilia, Italy
Unfinished complex built in the 16th century by the will of the Farnese family. Located in the historic center, with its monumental structure in ancient bricks, overlooks a large open space, redesigned in modern times by Mario Botta. On the outside, a large basin-fountain which, in the plan, reproduces the outline of a church demolished in the Napoleonic era: trees were planted in place of the old columns. After climbing the large entrance staircase, the visit begins in a gigantic hall in which the Farnese Theater was rebuilt (after the damage suffered in WW II) the route continues in a complex labyrinth of halls, rooms, passages and walkways on several levels. The complex houses the National Gallery, the Palatine Library and the Bodonian Museum. The renovation work, designed by Guido Canali, covered the entire route, but the most interesting part is the large reticular structure made of scaffolding pipes, painted in white. This structure supports the gunmetal colored panels on which the exhibited works are hung. The gallery displays works that were part of the Farnese collection: paintings by various authors: Antelami, Beato Angelico, El Greco, Guercino, Correggio, Tiepolo and Canaletto. The iconic works of the gallery are the Scapigliata (by Leonardo, actually lent to the Louvre Museum) and the Turkish Slave (by Parmigianino). The statuary of the Farnese collection is instead largely housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. Entrance fee 10€, closing day on Monday.
