This thriving city in Emilia is the location of nationally important companies. It has an ancient University and lively cultural associations.

Roman in origin, Parma has always been an active city, a hub of traffic and trade. It was long dominated by important noble families, such as the “Farnese” family.

It contains really beautiful and very well conserved monuments. Its “piazza del Duomo” (Cathedral square) is one of the most beautiful examples of Romanesque architecture in Italy.

The wise government of Maria Luigia of Austria, Napoleon’s last wife, who ruled here from 1814 to 1847, turned the city into a mini capital.

The structure of the historic centre and of the beautiful palaces that decorate it make it still today one of the most beautiful Italian cities of art.

Among the most important monuments to visit we list the following:

the Duomo (Cathedral), the Battistero (Baptistery), the Vescovado (Bishop’s Residence), the Chiesa di S.Giovanni Evangelista (Church of St. John the Evangelist), the Chiesa della Steccata (Church of the Fence), the Pilotta Palace containing the National Gallery and the Farnese Theatre, the Camera di S.Paolo (St. Paul’s Chamber), the Regio Theatre, the Glauco Lombardi Museum and the Ducal Park Palace.

In the province there is the Reggia di Colorno (The Palace of Colorno - Maria Luigia’s summer residence), the Luoghi Verdini (places associated with Verdi), the castles of Fontanellato, Bardi and Torrechiara and the Fondazione Magna