Parma

Parma is a little town located in Central-nothern Italy in a region called Emilia Romagna. It is not far away from Bologna - the capital of Emilia Romagna- Ligurian Riviera, Florence and Milan. It is a refined town which looks like a little capital, having a very lively spirit and aristocratic origins. Moreover, Parma is rich in masterpieces as many artists were born and/or lived there, like Correggio and Parmigianino, two renowned artists who lived in the 16th century; musicinians like Giuseppe Verdi and Arturo Toscanini; Proust and Stendhal, and Napoleon's wife Mary Louise, just to mention some.

The city of Parma has 170,000 inhabitants. The place where all the cultural and historical background of Parma is concentrated is the city centre where visitors can admire monuments and palaces in a wide range of styles from the Romanesque style to the Liberty one.

There are excellent schools and a very prestigious university in the city.

Moreover, Parma is known for its "prosciutto", a dry cured ham which is appreciated in all continents. If visitors want to taste the original product, then they have to ask for "prosciutto di Parma".

The centre of Parma is adorned by the Duomo. It was built in the 11th century and it represents one of the most beautiful Romanesque buildings. The church is dedicared to Virgin Mary. It was partly destroyed by an earthquake, occurred in 1117, but it was immediately repaired. There is a baptistery, built by Benedetto Antelami in a Romanesque and Gothic style, in it. The architect used a refined pink marble brought from Verona. Moreover, the church includes a dome decorated with the fresco of Assumption of the Virgin by Antonio da Correggio. The Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Bishop's Palace lie in Piazza del Duomo.

Correggio worked at the abbey dedicated to Saint John and painted a lunette depicting the saint, one of the three cloisters in the monastery and the dome where the artist made the biggest masterpiece of the Cathedral.

Here are some more remarkable attractions of the Vatican: Palazzo Ducale with its fabulous gardens, Palazzo della Pilotta, Teatro Farnese, Camera di San Paolo also called Camera della Badessa (Abbess's Chamber) as it housed the Abbess Giovanna da Piacenza and its main feature is the frescoes executed by Correggio who was inspired by the myth of Diana.

Visitors should not visit the just town of Parma as most of beauties lie few kilometers far. The territory is rich in castles and palaces like the Palace in Colorno, Rocca Meli Lupi di Soragna, the Castle in Montechiarugolo, Rocca di Sala Baganza, the castle located in Roccabianca and many more.

Parma is full of lovely hotels which are an excellent choice for all people who need a peaceful, private and reasonably priced accomodation. The hotels in Parma are ready to satisfy the visitors' needs and will provide them with comfortable interior spaces and relaxing atmosphere. Most of them offer high quality services and are close to the main attractions.