Geography

Parma is situated in Emilia-Romagna, a region of northern Italy. It is in a central geographical position, on the west-east axis of the via Aemilia, as well as the north-south route from the Po River valley to Liguria and Tuscany. The city is easily-accessible, located halfway between Milan and Florence, both about two hours away by train or car.

History

Parma was founded in 183 B.C. by 2000 Roman citizens. The city’s main development spans from the Middle Ages through the eighteenth century, as it became involved with every major artistic period and cultural institution. During the Imperial Age, Parma had a forum (in today’s Piazza Garibaldi), a theater, an ampitheater, public baths and a basilica. The years between 1802 and 1814 were a time of Napoleonic rule, following with the important period when the city’s administration was passed to Bonaparte’s second wife, Maria Luigia of Austria.

Garibaldi Square

In Garibaldi Square there is Palazzo del Governatore, with a facade dating from 1760, displays an intricate astronomical clock. Before beginning a tour, claim a table in the cafe that spreads across the square and absorb the local scene over a cappuccino.

The Cathedral and the Baptistery

The cathedral is a Romanesque basilica dating from the 12th century, its broad facade making an impressive ensemble with the church’s 63-meter campanile and the tall octagonal baptistery just to its left. Inside the cathedral you can see a huge fresco of the Assumption of the Virgin, painted by Correggio.

The massive octagonal marble Baptistery was begun in the Romanesque style in 1196 by Benedetto Antelami. The building was finally completed in Gothic style almost a century later, inside are colorful frescoes and more 13th-century reliefs.

Regio Theatre

It was the marvel of its day when it was built in 1829 as the Ducal Theatre. Because of the Verdi connection, Parma attracts opera lovers from around the world during its season, from January through early April, and in September and October for the annual Verdi festival.

Parma, City of Gastronomy

Parma has become UNESCO ‘City of Gastronomy’: it is the first in Italy to get this badge of honour. This underlines and honours the extraordinary wine and food traditions of the Emilia Romagna region.  In fact, this region holds the record for number of DOP and IGP products.

Parma is one of the ‘tastiest’ cities in the world and is well known for its food products of excellence. To cite just a few of the local treasures:Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, Culatello from Zibello, Felino salame and the Porcini mushrooms from Borgotaro; but also for torta fritta, tortelli, cappelletti or anolini and stracotto.

Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmesan Cheese)

Prosciutto (ham) from Parma 

Culatello (ham) from Zibello

Salame from Felino (Cold cuts)

Mushrooms Porcini from Borgotaro

Cappelletti or Anolini 

Parma Calcio 1913

Parma Calcio reflects the rich heritage of a long line of major football clubs that have represented our city and our region for over a century on the football pitches of Italy and Europe. The organization originated as Verdi Football Club, lasting just three months from July to September 1913. It was created exclusively to celebrate the centennial of the birth of composer Giuseppe Verdi, a native of Parma, but blossomed into the Parma Football Club. Along 2014, aftter bankruptcy under the previous ownership, Parma FC S.p.A became Parma Calcio 1913.

The team’s newest initiative is to earn back the respect and honor that a team with eight national and continental trophies deserves (3 Coppa Italia, 2 UEFA cups, 1 European Super Cup, 1 Supercoppa Italiana and 1 European Cup Winners’ Cup), as well as to display the decency and the identity of the city of Parma and its fans.

Parma by bike

Parma is the ideal city to visit and go around by bike, thanks to its flat land and its dimensions that allow to reach any place in a short time and ecologically.
There are many bicycle routes in town along almost every street in order to drive safely.

In Parma there are several places where you can rent a bike and then you can visit the city centre in the most comfortable way.