| Reviews and photos of Parma attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Parma sightseeing. Parma Map |
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 The Vescovado by Manara
It was built in 1055, when Parma was governed by Count-Bishops, and enlarged in 1232-4. The internal loggia was added in the XV century.
It is still the residence of the Archbishop who is at the head of the diocese of Parma. Leave a Comment Address: Piazza Duomo
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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
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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
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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
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Vescovado is Bishop's Residence, situated just in front of the Cathedral. It was founded in the first half of the 11th century, ordered by the Bishop Cadalo, the future anti-Pope. The internal portico was erected in the 15th century. The palace accomodates a rich collection of paintings and seven slabs dating back to the 12th century found in the Cathedral's Presbytery.
In front of the palace stands small but beautiful sculpture of a girl with the manuscript. Unfortunatelly I couldn't collect any information regarding that sculpture. Leave a Comment
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I wrote that there are several nice little things in this park: there is even a mock-ruin, built in those times when ruins were fashionable among aristocrats who pretended to live in Arcadia. In fact people call this "ruin" Tempio di Arcadia. Leave a Comment Address: Within the Parco Ducale, not far from the pond
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Palazzo del Commune was rebuilt in 1627, on the ruins of the Palazzo del Capitano, built in 1221 by Torello di Strada. The palace was rebuilt on the occasion of the wedding between Odoardo Farnese and Margherita de' Medici, on a project by Gian Battista Magnani. It has wide and high portico, whose arches were opened after it was decided to use the premises as barracks, salt customs warrehouse and mint.
On the side, which overlooking Chiesa di San Vitale, there is nice fountain, work by Paolo Toschi, on the top of which is placed a bronze group by Vanderstoch, depicting the fight between Hercules and Antaeus. Leave a Comment
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Palazzo Pilotta is enormous mass of the building dominating the entire historic centre of Parma. The building, which seems uncompleted, was built by Ranuccio I Farnese, the Duke of Parma. In its concept the building was to be intended not only as the seat of the services of the then nearby Court to accommodate the Barracks, the stables, the warehouses, the State Archive, the mint and the armory, but also as the protected passage to reach the Ducal Park. The Farnese used to cross the bridge which was closed to the public.
In the beginning of the 17th century works were interrupted and never resumed, with Ranuccio's death in 1622 all the project were abandoned and thus the building remained uncompleted. The Bourbons, whom replaced Farnese, did not carry out structural interventions, but carried out modifications only in the inside to accommodate the museums and libraries.
Nowadays the palace accommodates the Bodoni Museum and the Palatina Library. Leave a Comment
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 Palazzo del Governatore in the
evening by Henrik_rrb, 2 more photos
You'll find a Piazza Garibaldi in almost every bigger italian city.
The square has been rebuilt since it's original completation, which makes it look a bit strange maybe. The most impressive building is for sure the Palazzo del Governatore, which in the evening was nicely lit up by lamps (see photo).
On the wall of that palace you'll find this huge clock, although I found it most interesting to figure out which all the cities and countries, written in italian, really was.
Most of them were easy, but what about "Capo di buona Speranza"? :)
Around the piazza you'll find some nice restaurants, as La Ducessa (see my restaurant tip). In the middle is another restaurant that I never tried, but it looked both good and very expensive...
On the narrow streets you'll instead find a lot of shops and cafés. Leave a Comment Address: Piazza Garibaldi
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The most important square of Parma, Piazza Garibaldi, lies where the Roman forum was located. It was enlarged between the 13th and the 14th centuries. However, it was widely rearranged in the modern times, which gave it an unhomogeneous appearance.
Some beautiful buildings surround the square. The most important of them is the Palazzo del Governatore: it was originally built in the 13th century, but Ennemond Petitot rebuilt it in 1759. Its central tower dates of 1673. The other palaces are the Palazzo del Comune, built in late manneristic style in 1623-73, and the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo ("Palace of the Captain of the People", around 1240). The Chiesa di San Pietro ("St. Peter's church"), whose facade was also planned by Petitot in 1762, stands on the square, as well.
The square is dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, one of the main authors of the Italian unity. He is also known as "the Hero of the two Worlds". You can see some stalls on the square, which means that this is also the market square of Parma. Leave a Comment Address: in the city centre
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