Parma, a flourishing town in Emilia Romagna, is home to nationally important enterprises,
an extremely old university and many lively cultural associations.
Of Romanesque origins, Parma has been actively involved in trade and business right from the strt of its
existence.
Dominated by important aristocratic families, such as the Farnese family, Parma
has lovely well- preserved monuments: its cathedral or Duomo square is one of
the most beautiful examples of Romanesque architecture in the whole of Italy.
Wisely governed from1814 to 1847 by Napoleon’s last wife, Maria Luigia of Austria,
Parma acquired the status of a small capital town. The design of the old historical
centre and the lovely palazzos that adorn it make it one of Italy’s loveliest
art towns today.
A sightseeing tour of the old historical centre of Parma should take in most of the following important monuments:
the Cathedral (Duomo)
the Baptistery (Battistero)
the Bishop’s palace (Vescovado)
the St. John the Evangelist’s (Chiesa di S.Giovanni Evangelista)
the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata (Chiesa della Steccata)
the Pilotta Palazzo
the National Gallery
the Farnese Theatre
the St Paul’s Room
the Regio Theatre
the Glauco Lombardi Museum
the Palazzo in the Ducal Park
And further out in the province of Parma don’t miss:
the Reggia di Colorno (Maria Luigia’s summer residence)
the places associated with Giuseppe Verdi
the Fontanellato, Soragna and Torrechiara castles
the Magnani Rocca Foundation private art collection now on show to the general
public.
FASHION AND SHOPPING:
Parma’s numerous elegant boutiques offer clothes and leatherwear and also extremely
refined embroidery work and knitwear. A must for visitors are the numerous cake
shops and delicatessens where you can buy delicious local specialties such as
Parma ham, culatello di Zibello, Felino salamis, the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
(the only original parmesan cheese, world-famous for its flavour and taste) and
freshly-made pasta.
SHOWS – OPERA - FAIRS
Tourists visiting Parma will find a busy cultural agenda in all seasons, while concerts and the Opera
Season , such as the Festival Verdi regularly held in October, mainly take place in winter. Cibus, the biggest food fair in the world and the Bagarre and Mercante in Fiera antiques fairs are all held here.
FOOD-AND-WINE / GOURMET TOURISM IN PARMA
It is not a secret that the people of Parma are at their happiest when at table.
And who can blame them, given the numerous and even unique specialties of their
area such as Parmesan cheese (formaggio Parmigiano-Reggiano) and Parma ham.
Typical Parma starters include Felino salami, Parma ham, shoulder ham, culatello
di Zibello and Borgotaro mushrooms conserved in oil.
And then the stuffed pasta dishes such as ricotta cheese and spinach or pumpkin
tortelli with butter and cheese, or yet again agnolini in broth.
Then there are the main courses such as the Rosa di Parma fillet roll, tripe
or braised beef and mixed boiled meats.
And finally on to the sweet course: Christmas spongata, ring-shaped cakes and
zabaione and fruit jam tarts.
Parma’s fame throughout the world rests on all of this. It can rightly be considered
the Food Valley Capital.
INC Hotels & Restaurants offers hotels of various categories and types for
your stay in Parma, both in the centre of Parma and in its province, all able
to meet any and every need, whether for business or tourism.