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Parma, a city with all the signs of ages past tresure by renowned masters of painting and music and legends of ladies and knights.
- Cathedral: dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, it is considered a supreme example of the Romanesque style in the Po river valley. Inside, there are numerous masterpieces, including the famous “Deposition” by Benedetto Antelami, and the Dome with Correggio’s fresco dedicated to the Madonna.
- Baptistery: begun by Antelami in 1196 with the help of his workmen, the Baptistery was completed in 1307 and represents a perfect blend of Romanesque and Gothic style. It features a very rich array of sculptures and painting, both inside and outside.
- Church and Cloisters of san Giovanni Evangelista: the monastery dates back to the 10th century, but the Church was rebuilt in the 15th and16th cent. The interior houses Correggio’s magnificent dome and various early frescoes by Parmigianino. The wonderful library can also be visited with its 20,000 antique books.
- Church of Santa Maria della Steccata: the Church was built in response to popular request to house an image of the madonna painted an wooden fence (“Steccata”) which was considered miracoulous. In the presbytery, the archway displays the cycle of frescoes of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, by Parmigianino.
- “Pilotta” Palace: the building was started towards the end of the 16th century and was meant to house the ducal court of the Farnese family. However, from the 17th century it was used for cultural events, and is still used for that purpose as today it houses the National Gallery and Archeological Museum,, the Palatine Library and other important cultural and artisitc institutions.
- Teatro Regio: built between 1821 and 1829, in neoclassical style by the Duchess Maria Luigia, it has become the temple of Verdi’s operas thanks to its renose opera season and to the critical expertise of the “loggionisti”, opera-lovers who are seated in the Gallery.
- Glauco Lombard Museum: set in the halls of the Palazzo di Riserva, it houses woks, furnishing, cloche and historical relics and mementoes, belonging to the Duchess maria Luigia. It also dispays memorabilia of Napoleon Bonaparte and a collection of painting and engravings bys French and local artist.