Parma – Culture, Museums and Gastronomy
Accommodation in Parma
Parma is the gastronomic centre of the “Italian Food Valley”. The city’s gastronomic identity includes Prosciutto di Parma (DOP), Parmigiano Reggiano (DOP), Culatello di Zibello (DOP), Salame Felino (IGP), Spalla Cotta di San Secondo and Fungo Porcino (IGP). Parma is also host to important food-related events, including the international food trade fair Cibus.
File:Castello di Torrechiara (Provincia di Parma).jpg
Photo: Gianni Pezzani via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Culture
The Teatro Regio di Parma was built from 1821 onwards and opened in 1829 in the neoclassical style. During a tour lasting approximately 30 minutes, available in Italian or English, visitors can see the foyer, auditorium and Ridotto.
The Casa del Suono is housed in the former Church of Santa Elisabetta, dating from the mid-17th century. It traces the history and development of sound-reproduction devices – from the phonograph through the gramophone, radio, tape recorder and compact disc to the iPod. The Casa del Suono includes a collection of sound generators and facilities featuring innovative sound-reproduction systems, as well as programmes for scientific and artistic research, education and outreach.
The Museo Casa Natale Arturo Toscanini is located in the birthplace in Parma’s Oltretorrente district, where Arturo Toscanini was born on 25 March 1867. The Museo Glauco Lombardi is dedicated to the artistic and documentary heritage of Parma’s Bourbon period (1748–1802 and 1847–1859) and the Ludovician period (1816–1847). The museum offers guided tours, meetings and conferences. “Musica al Museo” is a musical series performed on the ducal fortepiano at the Museo Glauco Lombardi.
City and Surroundings
The Parma Welcome city app brings together information on Parma’s sights, churches, museums, castles, works of art, cultural events, exhibitions, installations, routes and gastronomy.
In the immediate surroundings of Parma are the Palazzo del Governatore palace, the Museo Diocesano, Parma museum, the Stuard Picture Gallery museum and the Museo A. Bocchi museum.
The Parco Ducale is also located nearby. The Parco Ducale is a historic garden landscape with centuries-old trees, designed from 1560 onwards as an elaborate Italian-style garden and later modified in the French style. The park has a historic fishpond with an island on which stands the 18th-century Fontana del Trianon fountain. The Parco Ducale also features a children’s play area, sports paths, a dog area, a kiosk and benches. The Parco della Cittadella park is also located in the immediate surroundings of Parma.
In the wider region surrounding Parma are the Parco naturale regionale dei Boschi di Carrega park and the Parco Lido Valtermina park.
Getting There
Parma railway station is approximately a ten-minute walk from the historic centre and is served by trains from northern and central Italy as well as from several European cities. Parma can be reached by train, via an airport and by motorway; cars are prohibited from entering the city centre.
Other destinations: Corniglio, Albareto, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna.
To the higher-level travel overview: Emilia-Romagna.
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