The ultimate city guide to Parma, Italy
The Latin inscription, shown on the city’s heraldic shield, says a lot about Parma’s proud nature: “Let the enemies tremble because the Virgin protects Parma,” reads the admonition confidently. And in fact, the wealth of the city, the grandeur of the buildings, and the surprising development that has gone on over the centuries really make one think that Parma has been blessed with luck.
Capital of the Emilian province of the same name, nestled between the Apennines and the Po Valley, it is now a prestigious university site full of interesting monuments, which date back to ancient times when the foundations of the future center were laid.
History
Cut into two parts by the Parma stream, a tributary of the Po, the city has remote origins that have their roots in the age of the Celts, who populated the plain in the sixth century BC.
The greatest expansion, however, occurred with the Romans, who in 183 BC acquired a large part of the territory and founded an important colony. In a short time, one of the most flourishing centers of the Po area took shape, and religious and civil buildings rose with increasing frequency and skill that still leave you speechless today. Animated by an eclectic and ever-changing spirit, imbued with culture in all its parts, and a lover of music and good food, Parma boasts a long series of valuable monuments.
What to see in Parma
The visit could start from the central Piazza Garibaldi, where decumanus and cardo met in Roman times. Here you will find the Governor’s Palace, a historic site of the fourteenth century, where exhibitions and temporary exhibitions are organized.
Among the most important monuments, we certainly remember the Duomo, built starting from 1059 and completed the following century: it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Romanesque buildings in all of Italy, dedicated to the Assumption and decorated by the most brilliant artists of the era, among which Benedetto Antelami stood out. The dome is especially spectacular, frescoed in the 16th century by Correggio with a splendid Assumption of the Virgin.
Next to the Cathedral, on the same square, stands the Baptistery, built between the 13th and 14th centuries according to the indications of Antelami himself, who also created the sculptural cycle placed inside: with an octagonal plan, made of fine pink marble of Verona, the building contains the Cycle of Months and Seasons, one of the most beautiful sculptural groups of Italian Romanesque art.
Also not to be missed is the 10th-century Monastery of San Giovanni Evangelista, with the Church, the Convent and the old Pharmacy; the Ducal Park and the Ducal Palace, designed in the 16th century by Jacopo Barozzi on commission from the Farnese family; the Church of the Madonna Della Steccata built in the sixteenth century and embellished, inside, by the cycle of frescoes of the Foolish Virgins and the Wise Virgins signed by Parmigianino.
Finally, in the heart of Parma, one of the most important theaters in Italy is located, the Regio Theater in neoclassical style of the nineteenth century, while the National Gallery hosts some of the most majestic and important works of art on the Italian and world scene: among the authors best known are Leonardo da Vinci, Correggio, Parmigianino and Annibale Carracci.
Not far away we find the Palazzo Della Pilotta, a piece of history with a building worthy of a true Central European capital. And if you have children in tow, not far from here, the Castle of the Puppets is certainly worth a visit.
On the north-eastern outskirts of the city, we find another important historical place: it is the Certosa di Parma which houses the interesting museum of the Csac Communication Studies and Archives Center.
After so much listing of historical and artistic heritages, it is not surprising that Parma in 2006 was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
Events and festivals
But the lively culture of Parma does not only pass through the palaces and testimonies of the past. In fact, the current manifestations and events that are periodically organized in the city are very lively and frequent, under the banner of popular traditions or arts in every possible form.
Among the main cultural occasions, there are countless musical-themed events, including the Verdiano festival, dedicated to Giuseppe Verdi. A notable role also belongs to literature, as witnessed by the Parma Poesia Festival, which attracts artists from all over the world to the city. Particularly picturesque is the Palio, a traditional competition consisting of a relay race between five teams, representing the five gates that once led into the city.
During the advent also in Parma, you will find the Christmas markets. Finally, on January 13, the patron saint Sant’Ilario is celebrated: for the occasion, the so-called “shoes of Sant’Ilario” are prepared and offered to the crowd, shortcrust biscuits that recall the passage of the saint through the Parma. According to tradition, passing through the center, Ilario asked a cobbler to repair his shoes, hence the characteristic shape of the sweets.
Climate and when to go
The only sore point of Parma could be the climate: continental, characterized by hot and sultry summers and cold winters, it is more pleasant in spring when temperatures are mild and the sun often grants clear and bright skies, perfect for walking. in the city center.
The daytime temperatures in midsummer are around 30-35 ° C, while in winter it also drops below freezing and there is frequent snowfall on the nearby Apennines. In autumn the phenomenon of fog is frequent, especially in the northern section of the Via Emilia and towards the Po river. The wettest month (with an average of 110 mm of rain) is October, while the driest is July, with just 37 mm.
How to get to Parma
To reach Parma you can choose between several possibilities. For those traveling by car, the city is located on the A1 Milan-Bologna and the A15 Parma-La Spezia, and has two exits: Parma Ovest is located near the junction between the A1 and A15, about 10 km from the city, towards Milan; the Parma exit, on the other hand, is located on the A1. For those who choose the train, the city station is well connected with the main Italian cities and the major European capitals. Finally, Parma has an airport, the Giuseppe Verdi, located 5 km from the center and connected daily with Rome and London. During the summer season, occasionally, flights to some renowned tourist resorts increase.
