If you are looking for things to do in Parma, you will not be disappointed by this charming Italian city. Parma is famous for its cuisine, art and culture, and it has some of the best tourist attractions in Parma. Whether you want to explore the historic center, visit the impressive cathedral and baptistery, or taste the local specialties like Parmesan cheese and Parma ham, you will find plenty of things to do in Parma. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best tourist attractions in Parma and give you some tips on how to make the most of your visit.
Looking for things to do in Parma? Discover the best tourist attractions in Parma:
1. **Teatro Farnese**: A stunning wooden theater built in the 17th century inside the Palazzo della Pilotta.
2. **Cattedrale di Parma**: A Romanesque cathedral with a beautiful frescoed dome by Correggio and a crypt with ancient mosaics.
3. **Battistero di Parma**: A striking octagonal marble baptistery with colorful frescoes and sculptures from the 13th century.
4. **Palazzo della Pilotta**: A complex of buildings that houses several museums, including the National Gallery, the Archaeological Museum and the Bodoni Museum.
5. **National Gallery (Galleria Nazionale)**: A museum that displays paintings by Correggio, Parmigianino, Leonardo da Vinci and other masters of the Parma School.
6. **Labirinto della Masone**: A maze made of bamboo plants that covers 7 hectares and hosts cultural events and exhibitions.
7. **Parco Ducale**: A beautiful park with a lake, a fountain, a bridge and a palace that was once the residence of the Farnese dukes.
8. **Camera di San Paolo**: A former convent room decorated with exquisite frescoes by Correggio depicting mythological scenes.
9. **Museo Glauco Lombardi**: A museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Marie Louise, Napoleon’s second wife and Duchess of Parma.
10. **San Giovanni Evangelista**: A church that contains a masterpiece by Correggio, The Vision of St. John the Evangelist, as well as other artworks and relics.
11. **Museo del Parmigiano Reggiano**: A museum that showcases the history and production of Parma’s famous cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano.
12. **Museo del Prosciutto di Parma**: A museum that explains the origin and quality of Parma’s famous ham, Prosciutto di Parma.
13. **Castello dei Burattini**: A castle that houses a collection of puppets and marionettes from different countries and eras.
14. **Orto Botanico di Parma**: A botanical garden that features more than 1000 plant species from different climates and regions.
15. **Piazza Garibaldi**: The main square of Parma, where you can admire the Palazzo del Governatore, the Town Hall and the astronomical clock.
16. **Chiesa di Santa Maria della Steccata**: A Renaissance church with a Greek cross plan and a dome inspired by Bramante’s design for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
17. **Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Parma**: A museum that displays archaeological finds from prehistoric to Roman times, including coins, pottery, jewelry and sculptures.
18. **Museo Lombardi**: A museum that exhibits objects related to the history of Parma and its rulers, such as paintings, furniture, weapons and costumes.
19. **Casa della Musica**: A cultural center that hosts concerts, lectures, workshops and exhibitions related to music and sound.
20. **Chiesa di San Francesco del Prato**: A Gothic church that was converted into a prison in the 19th century and is now a venue for cultural events and concerts.
21. **Museo Bodoni**: A museum that honors Giambattista Bodoni, a famous typographer and printer who worked in Parma in the 18th century.
22. **Chiesa di San Sepolcro**: A Romanesque church that contains a crypt with a replica of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
23. **Palazzo del Giardino**: A Renaissance palace that was built by Ottavio Farnese as a summer residence and is now used for exhibitions and conferences.
24. **Teatro Regio di Parma**: A neoclassical theater that is renowned for its opera performances and festivals dedicated to Verdi and Puccini.
25. **Museo d’Arte Cinese ed Etnografico**: A museum that displays a collection of Chinese and ethnographic art, including ceramics, paintings, textiles and masks.
26. **Chiesa di Santa Croce**: A church that was founded by the Templars in the 12th century and has a Romanesque facade and a Gothic interior.
27. **Museo di Storia Naturale ed Etnografica**: A museum that exhibits specimens of natural history and ethnography, such as fossils, minerals, animals and artifacts.
28. **Palazzo Eucherio Sanvitale**: A palace that dates back to the 15th century and has a courtyard with a fountain and a loggia with frescoes by Parmigianino.
29. **Chiesa di San Vitale ed Agricola**: A church that was built on the site of an ancient Roman temple and has a Romanesque bell tower and a Baroque interior.
30. **Museo Casa Natale Arturo Toscanini**: A museum that preserves the birthplace of Arturo Toscanini, one of the most famous conductors of the 20th century.
31. **Chiesa di San Rocco**: A Baroque church that was built by the Jesuits in the 17th century and has a richly decorated interior with paintings and stuccoes.
32. **Museo di Storia della Farmacia**: A museum that displays the history of pharmacy and medicine in Parma, including instruments, books, jars and labels.
33. **Chiesa di Santa Maria del Quartiere**: A church that was built in the 17th century and has a unique octagonal shape and a dome with frescoes by Lanfranco.
34. **Museo dell’Opera di Santa Maria della Steccata**: A museum that exhibits artworks and relics from the church of Santa Maria della Steccata, such as paintings, sculptures and vestments.
35. **Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo**: A church that was founded in the 10th century and has a Romanesque facade and a Gothic interior with frescoes by Bembo.
36. **Museo Civico d’Arte Medievale e Moderna**: A museum that displays artworks from the medieval and modern periods, such as paintings, sculptures, ceramics and furniture.
37. **Chiesa di San Paolo**: A church that was built in the 11th century and has a Romanesque facade and a Gothic interior with frescoes by Boccaccio Boccaccino.
38. **Museo del Risorgimento**: A museum that illustrates the history of Parma during the Risorgimento, the movement for Italian unification in the 19th century.
39. **Chiesa di San Quintino**: A church that was built in the 12th century and has a Romanesque facade and a Baroque interior with paintings by Guercino and Schedoni.
40. **Museo dell’Antica Spezieria di San Giovanni Evangelista**: A museum that recreates the ancient pharmacy of the monastery of San Giovanni Evangelista, with original furniture, jars and tools.
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