Parma
Parma today is most famous for two things - it's
exquisite hams and the unique Parmesan cheese. But
Parma is much more than a culinary centre, with a
number of fine medieval buildings, elegant shops,
and excellent restaurants.
One of the most picturesque of piazzas
is found in Parma, bounded on one side by the Bishop's
Palace, faced by the Duomo, adjacent to the exquisite
pink-marbled Baptistry. The Duomo's relatively austere
facade belies the magnificence of the fresco-covered
interior. The Baptistry (built in 1196) is equally
dazzling, with its own array of frescoes and statuary.
Behind the Duomo is the large complex of San Giovanni
Evangelista, once a thriving monastery but now open
to the general public. The cobblestoned streets around
these remnants of medieval wealth are now lined with
small shops, the occasional trattoria, and a sprinkling
of cafes and gelataria.
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Perhaps the best places to sample some local cappuccino
or Italian ice-cream is either below the three
sun dials on the facade of the Governor's Palace
in Piazza Garibaldi or in the large park overlooked
by the imposing Palazzo Pilotta. Prices in Parma are
reasonable by comparison to more tourist-dominated
cities such as Venice
or Verona.
Of course no visit to Parma would be complete without
sampling the specially cured Parma Ham, which
originates from pigs raised on the whey of Parmesan
cheese. The cheese is justly world-famous, and is
produced in huge wheels that (together with the huge
hams) make a fascinating sight in the markets of north
Italy.
Getting There
Parma is on the train line between Bologna and Milan,
with most services stopping at the city. The train
station is a 15 minute walk from the town centre.
View our Cheap
Airline Guide for details of bargain flights to
northern Italian destinations.
More Information
Visit the Parma
website for more.
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