Noble, elegant and refined, Parma with its many historical and cultural beauties is a popular destination for those who love mundanity mixed with style.
The violet, so dear to the heart of Duchess Maria Luigia of Austria, is the symbol of the city, and this passion has given rise over time to a perfume house by Ludovico Borsari, delicious sweets and a series of works symbolizing Parma and this splendid flower.
The historical center, surrounded by large green areas and historical works of great artistic value, is a little jem.
Famous as the birthplace of Giuseppe Verdi and Arturo Toscanini, the city is now the capital of music and hosts many internationally renowned cultural events.
A stroll through the historic center is a must: from Piazza Garibaldi, with the Governor’s Palace, to Piazza Duomo, with the majestic Cathedral dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption and the Baptistery, covered in beautiful pink marble, to Piazza della Pilotta and a visit to the monumental complex that includes the Farnese Theatre, the National Gallery, the Petitot Gallery of the Palatine Library, the Archaeological Museum and the Bodoni Museum. Not to be missed are the Camera di San Paolo with frescoes by Correggio, the Castello dei Burattini and the prestigious collection of the Puppet Theatre. The Ducal Park, with its luxuriant vegetation, completes the visit.
Delicacies for the palate. Parma is famous for its Prosciutto di Parma DOP, Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, Culatello di Zibello DOP, Salame Felino IGP, Spalla Cotta di San Secondo and Fungo Porcino IGP. The tradition of homemade pasta and meat broths is also interesting.
There are many food museums: the Parmigiano-Reggiano Museum, the Prosciutto Museum, the Salami Museum in Felino, the Tomato Museum, the Pasta Museum, the Cantina Food Museum, the Culatello Museum, the Orsi Coppini Oil Art Museum and the Porcini Mushroom Museum in Borgotaro.