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Tourism: Cathedral and Baptistery, Pilotta, Correggio, Festival Verdi

The Cathedral of the Assumption and the pink-marble Baptistery, the Farnese Pilotta complex with the Teatro Farnese and the Galleria Nazionale, the Camera di San Paolo frescoed by Correggio, the Parco Ducale. Winter opera season and the Festival Verdi in autumn; Torrechiara and Veleia outside the city.

Sections: Attractions · Museums · Nature · Itineraries · Excursions · Accessible visits

  • Cathedral of the Assumption: begun around 1059 and consecrated in 1106.
  • Baptistery: clad in pink Verona marble, begun in 1196 and completed in 1307, it marks the transition from late Romanesque to Gothic.
  • Pilotta: the former Farnese service palace contains the Teatro Farnese, the Galleria Nazionale, the Galleria Petitot of the Biblioteca Palatina, the Archaeological Museum and the Bodoni Museum; the same institute runs the old San Giovanni pharmacy.
  • Camera di San Paolo: a room frescoed by Correggio.
  • Parco Ducale: a green area with centuries-old trees and sculpture groups.

When and why

The Teatro Regio's opera season runs in winter; the Festival Verdi schedules Verdi operas between September and October. Tourism is also about food: Parma has been a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy since 2015 and the official tourism site presents local products (Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano, Culatello di Zibello, Salame Felino) as the stars of the table.

Beyond the city

Outside the city the Pilotta complex manages Torrechiara Castle and the archaeological area of Veleia. The Destinazione Turistica Emilia website lists exhibitions and events in the city and the province.

Sources

Updated: 2026-10-14

Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta – sito ufficiale (Ministero della Cultura)· Ministero della Cultura – Complesso Monumentale della Pilotta

Updated: 2026-10-14

Teatro Regio di Parma – stagione e Festival Verdi· Fondazione Teatro Regio di Parma

Updated: 2026-10-14

Reviewed: 10/23/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-10-13

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