Discover Parma: a Travel Guide to One of Italy’s Hidden Gems, Parma, Italy

We have all heard of Parmesan cheese and Parma ham, yet how many people have the Italian city of Parma on their bucket list? Not as many as it deserves. On the upside, this means that tourists are still very welcome in Parma. I even had locals asking me if i needed help when they saw me using Google Maps to get around!

When I was studying art history in secondary school this provincial capital kept popping up. During the Middle Ages, it was one of Italy’s most important cities, and is still home to some of Italy’s medieval architectural masterpeices. During the Renaissance, with its strategic position between Tuscany, Mantua and Milan, it became a powerful political and cultural centre. Two of the most famous 16h century Italian painters, Correggio and Parmigianino, operated in Parma. In the following centuries, as the capital of a small but prestigious duchy of Parma and Piacenza, it continued to be a magnet for architects, artists and intellectuals. With its elegant buildings and airy layout, it is often considered a little Paris, although in winter it has the misty vibe of Venice.

Parma boasts art collections and museums worthy of a European capital, and has a great musical tradition. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).