Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, famous for its architecture and the fine countryside around it.

Attractions

• The Romanesque Cathedral houses works by Antonio da Correggio and Benedetto Antelami.
• The Baptistry, begun in 1196 by Antelami, is one of the most important Medieval monuments in Europe.
• The church of Saint John the Evangelist was built between 1498 and 1510 behind the Cathedral's apse. It has Baroque facade and belfry, with a Latin cross plant and three naves. The dome was frescoed by Correggio in 1520-1522 with the famous Vision of St. John the Evangelist, a masterwork of illustionistic art of the Late Italian Renaissance. Chapels have frescoes by Parmigianino. Also the cloisters and the ancient Benedictine grocery are noteworthy. The library has books from the 15th and 16th centuries.
• The Monastery of Saint Paul has frescoes by Correggio and Araldi.
• The Museum House of Arturo Toscanini, where the famous musician was born.
• The Old Hospital (1201)
• The Palazzo della Pilotta (1583). It houses the Academy of Fine Arts with artists of the School of Parma (Painting), the Palatine Library, the National Gallery, the Archaeological Museum, the Bodoni Museum and the Farnese Theatre.
• The Farnese Theatre was constructed in 1618-1619 by Giovan Battista Aleotti, totally in wood. It was commissioned by Duke Ranuccio for the visit of Cosimo I de' Medici.
• The Teatro Regio ("Royal Theatre"), built in 1821-1829 by Nicola Bettoli. It has a Neo-Classical facade and a porch with double window order. It is the city's opera house.
• The Auditorium Niccolò Paganini, designed by Renzo Piano.
• The Museo Lombardi, which exhibits a prestigious collection of art and historical items regarding Maria Luigia of Habsburg and her first husband Napoleon Bonaparte; important works and documents concerning the Duchy of Parma in the 18th and 19th centuries are also kept by the Museum.
• The Ducal Park (1561), built by Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola for Ottaviano Farnese. It was turned into a French-style garden in 1749.
• The Orto Botanico di Parma is a botanical garden maintained by the University of Parma.