Enjoyable Parma: Capital of culture and culinary paradise

2023 Author: Gabrielle Mercer | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 12:25

Enjoyable vacation for all the senses: In the footsteps of Duchess Maria Luigia, the Italian Capital of Culture 2020 + 21 shows itself from its most beautiful sides. But also shopping fans and foodies get their money's worth in the home of Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma.

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A common thread connects the cities of Vienna and Parma: In April 1816 Marie-Louise of Austria, wife of the French emperor Napoleon, came to the small duchy of Parma and Piacenza, won the hearts of the population and left one throughout the city as Maria Luigia lasting impression that is still ubiquitous today in the streets, universities, museums and kitchens.

The best place to start your exploration of the Italian Capital of Culture 2020 + 21 is one of the places that are connected to the life of the Duchess: In the Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta you will find the National Gallery, which was largely designed by Marie-Louise. In addition to the heart of the collection - Leonardo da Vinci's “La Scapigliata” - the Galleria nazionale di Parma houses numerous other paintings by well-known painters such as Correggio, Tintoretto and Parmigianino.

The nearby Teatro Regio was commissioned by the Duchess and since its opening in 1829 has become the musical home of opera greats such as Giuseppe Verdi and Arturo Toscanini, both of whom come from the region. The haute couture academy located here is also exceptional, in which the know-how from the opera business is passed on to young talents in various areas of the creative industry. Just a few steps further, the Palazzo della Riserva shines in the characteristic “Parma yellow”, a color that, at Maria Luigia's request, adorns numerous facades of the city. The Museo Glauco Lombardi located here gives an insight into the diverse interests of the Duchess. The color green is also not neglected in Parma: parks such as the magnificent Parco Ducale, which was opened to the public at Maria Luigia's request in the 19th century, serve tourists and locals alike to relax.

But also off the trail of Marie-Louise, Parma is a true paradise for those interested in culture. Piazza Duomo, the religious heart of the city, is dominated by the Gothic bell tower from the 13th century. The dome of the cathedral is decorated with the fresco “Assumption of Mary into Heaven” by Antonio da Correggio, an Italian masterpiece from the 16th century. Immediately next to the cathedral is the octagonal baptistery with its facade made of pink Veronese marble, which marks the transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic style and is one of the most important medieval buildings in the country. Further tips for those interested in culture are the Museo d'Arte Cinese ed Etnografico - one of the most important of its kind in Europe - and the Centro Studi e Archivio Comunicazione dell'Università di Parma (CSAC), an archive with 12 million exhibits from the fields of fashion, Art, photography, media and entertainment.

For shopping enthusiasts, there is also a lot to discover in Parma. The pedestrian zone in Via Nazario Sauro in the heart of the historic city center awaits you with a wide range of antique and modern shops, second-hand stores, art galleries, record stores, jewelers and small furniture showrooms. The shopping district extends further over Borgo Giacomo Tommasini, Borgo XX Marzo, Strada Repubblica and Via Farini, where with the Prosciutteria di Romani and the Antica Salumeria Alimentaria Rastelli you can also find two excellent addresses for delicacies produced in Parma.

Speaking of delicacies: In Parma, foodies can't stop raving about them. It is not for nothing that the city, which is home to world-famous specialties such as Parmesan and Parma ham, has been named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy for the fifth year in a row. In addition, the region is known far beyond the country's borders for the production of dried pasta as well as tomato and fish conversions of the highest quality. Gourmets can discover the origins of the local specialties directly at the production facilities: from traditional cheese dairies, in which the “cheese king” Parmigiano Reggiano is produced under strict conditions, to renowned ham factories, in which Prosciutto di Parma is masterfully handcrafted for at least a year matures to perfection, numerous businesses in and around Parma have opened their doors to interested visitors - including tastings. Those who prefer to lend a hand in the kitchen can learn how to make local pasta specialties as part of a cooking course and take a piece of Parma's culinary tradition home with them.