Guide: all countries » Italy » Parma » Cultural sights

Culture of Parma. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Piazza duomo by night The main architectural symbol of the city is considered to be the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. A construction of the scale building was started as far back as in 1092. The oldest part of the building is considered to be the marble frontage which has been preserved unchanged for many centuries. In the course of its long existence the Cathedral changed its interior decoration for many times however the most significant and precious relics have been preserved. The cupolas of the Cathedral are decorated with ingenious fresco paintings and the hall of the Cathedral features graceful sculptures of St.Heliodorus, first bishop of Altino.
Guide to Parma sightseeing - things to see and to visit
This is one of the most popular resorts of Italy, a beautiful old city full of attractions and hospitality. Fascinating tours to the remarkable places remain among the most popular … Open
The same attractive and interesting architectural landmark of Parma is considered to be the Palazzo della Pilotta. The building of the palace features original weird form. The palace is a complex labyrinth of numerous rooms, stair flights and cozy inner porches. A tour over the palace will be of great interest to all guests. The age of the palace is about 400 years however it still looks impressive.
The real pride of the city of Parma is one of the most significant landmarks of the national scale being the Farnese Theater which is housed in the mentioned above palace. A huge hall which can accommodate up to 4000 guests at once, unique diverse side scenes, elegant pilasters and columns, antique sculptures and marvelous balustrades are the main features of the theater which was established in the 17th century. The theater still amazes its visitors with unique atmosphere and majesty. Every performance in the theater is the most significant event in the cultural life of the city. The performances attract guests from all over the world. Copyright www.orangesmile.com
Cuisine of Parma for gourmet with top restaurants and cafe
The main gastronomy speciality of Parma is undoubtedly Parma ham. Many renowned culinary experts of the world use it as an essential ingredient of their food masterpieces. Every restaurant … Open
The gravest landmark of the city of Parma is the Governor’s Palace. In the course of its long life the palace has witnessed numerous significant historical events. Several centuries ago this was a place punishing of criminals, witches and heretics. Later on a square in front of the palace was reequipped into a cattle yard and since the end of the 19th century the building of the palace stood in utter desertion.
Among religious landmarks of the city the abbey church of Saint John the Evangelist (San Giovanni Evangelista) is well worth visiting. The church is one of the brightest and most remarkable landmarks of the Renaissance epoch. A high building with ingeniously finished frontage keeps plenty of significant religious artifacts. Tourists should necessarily estimate the inner decoration of the church and enjoy beautiful fresco paintings of the 15th century. Not far from the church tourists will find another spot of attraction being the oldest drug store in the city named after San Giovanni.
In the section below, you can get one of our excursion, activities or city discovery tours over Parma and surroundings. Our website offers 10-30% lower ticket prices, when compared to the offline purchase on the spot.

City tours, excursions and tickets in Parma and surroundings

Parma - guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6

Iconic cultural sights of Italy

Milan is the second largest city in Italy. It has a huge number of museums and historical monuments. The symbol of the city is the Milan Cathedral in the style of flaming Gothic, amazing in its beauty. It was constructed in the 14th century. The Ambrosian library contains Leonardo da Vinci's unique manuscripts, and Villa Reale became the home of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. Genoa is another ancient city of Italy, a former independent republic for many centuries. The symbol of Genoa is Piazza Ferrari, the main square in the center. On the Via Garibaldi Street are the palaces of the aristocratic nobility of the city. Another popular area among tourists is Bokkadance, a region on the seashore where sailors live. … Open

What to visit during two-day excursion in Parma

Duomo
Where: Piazza Duomo, Parma; Telephone: +39 0521 235886;
Battistero
Where: Piazza Duomo, Parma; Telephone: +39 0521 235886;
San Giovanni Evangelista
Where: Piazzale S. Giovanni 1, Parma; Telephone: +39 0521 235311;
Chiesa Madonna Della Steccata
Where: Piazza della Steccata 9, Parma; Telephone: +39 0521 234937;
Palazzo Pilotta
Where: Piazzale della Pilotta 15, Parma; Telephone: +39 0521 233309;
Galleria Nazionale
Where: Piazzale della Pilotta 15, Parma; Telephone: +39 0521 233309;
Museo Archeologico Nazionale
Where: Piazzale della Pilotta 15, Parma; Telephone: +39 0521 233718;
Teatro Regio
Where: Via Garibaldi, 16/A, Parma; Telephone: +39 0521 039393;
Reference information
Map of all palaces
Public palaces near Parma
♥   Palace 'Ducal Palace' Parma, 1.2 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Ducal Palace of Colorno' Colorno, 14.9 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Ducal Palace' Modena, 50 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Palazzo del Te' Mantua, 52.6 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Palace 'Palazzo Canossa' Verona, 87.9 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Map of all art museums
Art galleries in Parma and around
♥   Art museum 'Pinacoteca Stuard' Parma, 0.6 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Art museum 'Galleria Nazionale di Parma' Parma, 0.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Art museum 'Palazzo della Pilotta' Parma, 0.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Art museum 'Museo archeologico nazionale di Parma' Parma, 0.8 km from the center. On the map   Photo
Map of all churches
Cathedrals and basilicas near Parma
♥   Abbazia Cistercense S. Bernardo di Chiaravalle, Fontevivo, 14 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Santuario Basilica della Beata Vergine del Santo Rosario, Fontanellato, 15.2 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Chiesa di S. Maria Nascente, Brescello, 18.2 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Basilica di S. Marco, Boretto, 21 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Cattedrale di S. Donnino Mattire, Fidenza, 23 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Cattedrale di Beata Vergine Assunta, Reggio Emilia, 25.7 km from the center. On the map   Photo
♥   Basilica Cattedrale di S. Maria Assunta, Carpi, 43.7 km from the center. On the map   Photo

Excursions over cultural sights of neighbours of Parma

Modena
The best destination to start the exploration of the landmarks of Modena is the Palazzo dei Musei. The museum tells it visitors about the most significant events of the city history. The museum is placed in a majestic ancient building which was built in the 18th century ... Open »
Emilia-Romagna Region
Ravenna also has a rich history. The 6th century mausoleum of the Ostrogoth empire’s ruler and the tomb of Galla Placidia, which was built even earlier, have still remained here. The Basilica of Sant’Apollinare has the 5-6th century murals in its décor. There ... Open »
Lombardy
Several attractions of Lombardy are known even to travelers that have never been to Italy. Most of them are concentrated in Milan, but there are amazing facilities in every city of the region. World-famous La Scala opera house with its incomparable interior, beautiful ... Open »
Bologna
The center of the city is the location of famous Neptune Square with a beautiful fountain. The fountain has already become a symbol of Bologna. This place will be liked by fans of walks and travellers who are not indifferent to architectural masterpieces of antiquity. ... Open »
Verona
Case Mazzanti is a beautiful architectural monument of the Middle Ages. It was built in the 16th century. Its facade is decorated with artful murals, which depict scenes from various ancient myths. There are also some monuments of Roman times which have survived in ... Open »
Bergamo
Sant Alessandro Cathedral is an equally prominent and remarkable religious sights of Bergamo. The construction of the cathedral was started in the 6th century. The construction of the cathedral was completed only in the second half of the 19th century, so the building ... Open »
Secure Connection
Main Office
Weegschaalstraat 3, Eindhoven
5632 CW, The Netherlands
+31 40 40 150 44


Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | About us
Copyright © 2002 - OrangeSmile Tours B.V. | Incorporated by IVRA Holding B.V. - Registered in The Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel KvK, The Netherlands) No. 17237018