We find it extremely difficult writing about Emilia Romagna without mentioning the ham or salumi. Nevertheless, here goes. Parma was originally a Roman town built around 183 BC and provided an important commercial hub.
Home 
Discover Italy North Italy Regions Guide to Emilia Romagna Emilia Romagna Itineraries Guide to Parma
Discover Italy North Italy Regions Guide to Emilia Romagna Emilia Romagna Itineraries Guide to Parma
Guide to Parma
Following the classical period, it remained in a period of general malaise and decline until medieval times when such important families as the Visconti, Sforza and the Farnese gained control. The latter owed their good fortune to Pope Paul III who gave it to his grandson Pier Luigi in 1565.
The Bourbons, and briefly the French, ruled it from 1731 until the modern era. Parma is a classic 'Città d'Arte' and proud of its reputation for being a cultural and musical center as well as the birthplace of Arturo Toscanini. Near Parma in Le Roncole, Busseto is also the home town of famous Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi.
First up, the cathedral and bell tower. The former contains works by Benedetto Antelami and Correggio. Look out for an even finer collection at the Galleria Nazionale.
Visitors should also take in the fabulous 17th century 'palazzi' such as the Palazzo della Pilotta which is also home to the National Museum of 'Antichità'.
Every year in October there is the Opera Festival dedicated to Verdi held at the 19th century opera house Regio Theatre
Don't miss out on the Palio of Parma every September - www.paliodiparma.it
Giuseppe Verdi places www.giuseppeverdi.it, www.bussetolive.com and www.villaverdi.org
For the Toscanini museum www.museotoscanini.it
See also Parma food and wine route
Palazzo Dalla Rosa Prati offers luxury self catering apartment accommodation in a historical residence as close to the centre of Parma as it is possible to get, right in Piazza Duomo beside the Baptistery and just 25 meters from the Cathedral. Thanks to its central position all the monuments, museum,…
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST and keep in touch with us via the websites below
Choose Your Region
Click on icons for Accommodation, Restaurants and Tours in Emilia Romagna
Our articles about Emilia Romagna below.
Emilia Romagna Recipes
• roasted capon • cappelletti pasta recipe 1 • cappelletti pasta recipe 2 • risotto with grilled vegetables • pie fritta • erbazzone • rabbit bean pork recipe • suckling pig recipes • passatelli al formaggio di fossa • potato croquettes emiliane • filling for bolognese tortellini • bustrengo recipe • bolognese ragu recipe • ciccioli pork recipe • tortelloni pasta • egg pasta recipe with squid • mimosa cake for womens day
Emilia Romagna Food and Wine
• parma ham festival • albareto porcini mushroom fair • home food association • pizza olympics • comacchio eel festival • lost flavors of emilia romagna • top sangiovese and lambrusco wines • traditional balsamic vinegar of modena • lambrusco mio • may food festivals near ravenna • voghiera garlic festival • nutella festival • wine areas of emilia romagna • cherry pies and balsamic vinegar near modena • parmigiano reggiano cheese • museum of parmigiano reggiano cheese • rare reggiana cow breed • tortellini pasta from bologna • mortadella of bologna • the versatile piadina • coppa del cardinale • celts pigs and ham • adriatic coast gastronomy • fried gnocco dough • sorgentedelvino live • espresso coffee makers museum
Emilia Romagna Itineraries
• river po delta nature itineraries • eco museums of the po delta • tuscany emilia appenines • parma ham itinerary • culatello di zibello ham route • cycle route along the river po • via bibulca • pork roads • forli cesena wine route • cycle routes near rimini • tour the porticoes of bologna • giuseppe verdi itinerary • parma food and wine routes • ferrara food and wine routes • imola hills food and wine route • piacenza food itinerary • guide to parma • river po delta visitor centres • cervia • arturo toscanini house museum • ravenna festival • appennines folk festival • rimini • faenza • bobbio • cross country skiing near modena • thermal baths of forli cesena • casentinesi forest national park • guide to forli cesena • republic of san marino • guide to bologna • museum of peasant life • river po delta natural park • sogliano al rubicone • wine hills from bologna to modena • the regio theatre in parma