PARMA | EMILIA ROMAGNA

Discover Parma

Parma, situated in beautiful Emilia Romagna at the centre of the Po Valley, is a small provincial capital of art, culture and music.
Parma’s current importance is also due to its historical strategic position: in fact it is located on a stretch of the Via Francigena.
Many monuments are worth visiting in the old town centre: the Cathedral, Baptistery, the Palazzo della Pilotta and the Regio Theatre.

The Duomo, or Cathedral of Parma, is the mother church of the diocese and rich in history. Beside the Cathedral stands the Baptistery, octagonal in shape and covered with pink Verona marble. It was begun in 1196 and completed in 1307. The Regio Theatre has a Parisian-made chandelier that weighs about one tonne. Inside the theatre one can visit Roman ruins that were discovered during restoration work.
Nature lovers should visit the Ducal Park with its ancient trees, the Ducal Palace and the Palazzetto Eucherio Sanvitale.
The old town is also home to Botanical Gardens measuring a total of eleven thousand square metres, containing roses, bonsai etc.
The Oasis of Monte Fuso is also beautiful and rich in vegetation, with oak, cherry, ash and chestnut. The Oasis’ wildlife includes deer and mouflon.
In the Regional Forest Park of Carrega there is also a herb garden with about thirty medicinal and aromatic plants. The Regional Forest Park of Carrega is also equipped for bird-watching.

Visit Sorbolo, an important centre for agricultural production in the province of Parma.
Fidenza is a small town that certainly merits a visit to see the art in its Cathedral, in the Church of S. Michele and for its reputation as a town of miracles – at least three according to legend.
Parma's gastronomic tradition is famous worldwide thanks to Parma ham and Parmesan cheese. Less well known is its Salame di Felino prepared solely from pork.