| Reviews and photos of Parma attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Parma sightseeing. Parma Map |
 | Parma Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 86 |  |
This palace, inside the Parco Ducale, is the Palazzo Ducale. It is where the Dukes lived, whereas the Palazzo Pilotta was used for functions and was the home of dignitaries.
This small palace was built in the XVI century, but it was completely changed two centuries later.
For several years it has been the premises of the RIS (Reparto Investigazioni Scientifiche = Department of Scientific Investigations, the equivalent of CSI) in charge of scientific investigations for Northern Italy.
Recently it has been decided to move the RIS to new premises, and to use the palace to accommodate the European Food Safety Authorithy. Leave a Comment Address: Inside the Parco DucaleDirections: On the right-hand side when coming from Ponte Verdi
|
Visiting Parma?
Read reviews about Parma Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
There are several parks in Parma, but the nicest one is certainly the Parco Ducale (this is the official name, we locals call it "Giardino Pubblico").
It used to be the private garden of the Dukes, and it became a public park when the Duchy of Parma became part of Italy.
Along the centuries it has undergone several changes, so it is full of nice things such as statues, and a pond with a small island.
There is also a cafe, open only in the summer. Leave a Comment Address: Access from Ponte Verdi, or Piazza S. CroceDirections: In the city centre, across the river if you come from the Duomo and the Palazzo Pilotta
|
The splendid Baptystery with its irregular octagon-base is probably considered as the land mark of Parma. Its construction began in 1196 on a design by the architect Benedetto Antelami, but the works were interrupted in 1216 due to the lack of pink Veronese marble. This was caused by the fights opposing Parma to Verona. Later on the works of the upper part began in 1259 and finished towards the end of the 13th century.
The baptistery is considered as one of the most important Italian medieval monuments, built in Romanssque style but with strong influences by the early French Gothic.
On its rooftop is an elegant balustrade with eight slim lanterns. Leave a Comment
|
In the medieval times Italian towns were governed by so-called Podesta, which is another name for the mayor, but with lots more authority than today's mayors have. The Podesta of Parma had seat in this palace which the first foundation dates back to the mid-13th century. The palace consists of two bodies and features a wide vault. It is in particularly interesting because of elegant three-light windows, those in the middle part ascending as they were following the steps of a large stairway that no longer excists.
Palazzo del Podesta is well preserved and it is one of the oldest building reminded from medieval times of Parma. Leave a Comment
|
The Palazzo Pilotta hosts a rich and extremely fine collection of paintings. You can see here pictures from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Among the artists represented here are Antelami, Beato Angelico, Leonardo, El Greco, Correggio, Parmigianino, Carracci, Guercino, Murillo, Van Dyck, Tiepolo.
This part of the Palace went some major changes several year ago, in order to make it more suitable for exhibiting the paintings. These renovations did not change at all the appearance of the palace outside, and were very appreciated by art critics, because they achieved the purpose of displaying the paintings in the best way. Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Parma?
Read reviews about Parma Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
This was the Dukes' palace. Its name comes from the game of "pelota" that courtiers used to play. Nowadays it hosts a big library and two museums: the Museo Archeologico and the Galleria Nazionale.
As you see part of the bulding is missing. It was a bomb during the II World War. Parma was not important from a strategic point of view, so it had no air defense. For this reason bombing the railway station of Parma was a "safe" mission that the US Airforce gave to the newest and unexperienced pilots. They were so unexperienced in fact, that they always missed the station, and did some damage around it instead. Leave a Comment Address: Palazzo Pilotta, Piazzale della PaceDirections: In the oldest part of the city centreWebsite: www.inparma.it
|
The visit to the Galleria Nazionale starts from here, although this is not exactly an entrance hall. It is instead a big theatre for the Dukes' court.
It was built in 1618 in a space of the palace that was originally a hall for fencing. It was made of fir wood and entirely painted to simulate marble.
What we can see now is a reconstruction, because the original interior was almost completely destroyed by a fire during WWII.
The reconstruction was done with the same kind of wood, but without the painting, and the ceiling has not been reconstructed.
Thanks to its wide stage and good acustics this theatre could be used for many kinds of events, but it is used almost only for TV productions. In fact it does not meet those safety requirements that are necessary for a large audience. Leave a Comment
|
This opera theatre was one of the things La Duchessa (Maria Luigia) gave to Parma and her subjects loved.
The people of Parma have traditionally a real passion for the opera, and the audience of the Regio has a reputation as the most critical and unforgiving. Opera singers know that no mistake will ever pass unnoticed here. Leave a Comment
|
According to the city map, the church of St. John the Evangelist is the main church in the town named as Duomo. It used to be the Benedictine complex originaly built in the Romanesque style, dateing back to 10th century. The original chuch, however, was destroyed by a fire towards the end of the 15th century. Its reconstruction was decided in Renaissance style and was carried out between the end of 15th and the beginning of 16th centuries.
The whole project was followed by the Benedictine monks which created here an important cultural centre.
Unfortunately, the church was closed by the time of my visit and I couldn't see its valuable interiors. Leave a Comment
|
The Baptistery is one of the most famous works of art in Parma. Any Italian student who has taken classes of art history at high school has seen a picture of it in his/her textbook.
The style is a peculiar mixture of romanesque and gothic. It is made of pink marble from Verona.
The architect was Benedetto Antelami, who was also a sculptor. The construction started in 1196 but was interrupted for many years, from 1216 to 1257, because Parma and Verona had become enemies, so there was no supply of marble. After works were resumed, the Baptistery was completed in 1270.
Inside it is entirely covered with frescoes.
The first picture shows a general view the paintings in the vault.
The figures in the upper circle represent the Apostles, plus allegories of the Evangelists.
Under that there is another circle of paintings representing Jesus, the Virgin Mary, John the Baptist and the Prophets.
Under this there is a circle of scenes of John the Baptist's life. Leave a Comment Address: Piazza Duomo
|
 | |  |
|
- Express Hi Parma
Via Naviglio Alto 50, Parma - Hotel Regina
Largo Piero Calamandrei 11, Parma - Du Parc
Viale Piacenza 12/C, Parma - My Hotels Villa Ducale
Via Moletolo 53/a, Parma - Bw Farnese International Hotel
Via Reggio 51/A, Parma - Mercure De La Ville Parma 4m
Largo Piero Calamandrei 11, Parma - Grand Porro Hotel
Viale Porro 10, Parma - Astoria Executive
Via Trento 9, Parma - Locanda del Lupo
Via Garibaldi, 64 Soragna, Parma - Arte
3 Mansfield St, Parma - Hotel Elite
Viale Cavour 5, Parma - MERCURE DE LA VILLE PARMA 4M (Largo Piero Calamandrei 11 )
Largo Piero Calamandrei 11, Parma - Hotel Parma And Congressi
Via Emilia Ovest 281 / A Fraore, Parma - Hotel ai Tigli
Via Parma, 44 Pilastro di Langhirano, Parma - Parma & Congressi
Via Emilia Ovest 281 / A Fraore, Parma
|
on March 14, 2006
on March 23, 2008
