Parma's historic centre develops all around what can be considered its religious focus composed by the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Bishop Palace.
The Cathedral on Piazza del Duomo is one of the most important expressions of the Po valley Romanesque style, even though with some posterior changes. It boasts a bell tower dating back to the 13th century. Inside are some famous masterpieces such as the dome frescoed by Correggio.
The Baptistery is an octagonal building built using blocks of pink marble. Together with the 11th century Bishop's Palace, it creates a suggestive medieval spot. Frescoes attributed to Parmigianino in the chapels and the dome frescoed by Correggio are the distinctive elements of the Church of Saint John the Evangelist. It is possible to admire other Parmigianino works in the Church of the Madonna della Steccata and other Correggio works in the Chamber of Saint Paul in the Benedictines’ Monastery.
Not far from the latter is the Palazzo della Pilotta. Commissioned by the Farnese family, this is an impressive complex hosting the Farnese Library and Theatre, the National Archaeological Museum, the Bodoni Museum and the National Gallery, which exhibits works of Correggio, Parmigianino, Beato Angelico, Leonardo da Vinci, Tiepolo, and Canova. Not far away from here is the Teatro Regio (Royal Theatre), a temple of music and one of the most renowned theatres in Italy.
Crossing the G. Verdi Bridge over the Parma torrent, you arrive to the Ducal Palace surrounded by a wide green belt, a magnificent example of a princely park. The Palace still keeps the 16th century central body and contains frescoes of admirable beauty.
Outside the city, the whole province of Parma is scattered with a great number of castles and fortresses from the slopes of the Apennines up north to the Po plain. They create a path which leads visitors through an enchanted world of ladies and knights among ancient manors considered to be some of the most beautiful and best preserved in Italy.
A starting point could be the Fortresses of Bardi, which stands out from the Apennine red rocks in greatness and splendour; coming down toward the valley, one obligatory stop is the Castle of Compiano and its village, from which to move on then to the Castle of Felino and, lastly, to the Reggia Palace of Colorno in the “Bassa Parmense” (Parma plains), residence of the Farnese family, the House of Bourbon and Marie Luise of Austria. In this place, the visitor is captivated by the monumental beauty of the Reggia, as well as by the wonderful landscapes where the river Po meets the plain. The entire province has in fact always been devoted to the presence of this river, an eternal reference.
Among all the towns of the plain between Parma and Piacenza, it is interesting to visit Fontevivo with its imposing Cistercian Abbey dating back to the 12th century; Fontanellato, with its Sanvitale Fortress and a series of frescoes by Parmigianino; and Fidenza, with the precious Cathedral of San Donnino, one of the most important example of the Romanesque art of Emilia. Among these plains, an obliged stop is the Castle of Torrechiara, located in the town of Langhirano, built in the 15th century.