5. The history of Parma
Parma was most probably founded and named by the Etruscans. The Roman colony was
founded in 183 BC and during the Roman Empire gained the title of “Julia” .
During the Middle Ages, Parma became an important stage of the Via Francigena,
pilgrims’ route leading to Rome and to Jerusalem from different countries.
Parma fell under the control of Milan in 1341 and between the 14th and the 15th
centuries was involved in the Italian Wars.
Parma belonged to the Farnese family for about two centuries and then to the Spanish
Bourbons.
During the Napoleonic wars, it was part of the Taro Département and with Duchess
Marie Louise had period of prosperity.
6. Parma is
divided by a
river called
Parma in 2
parts: the
new and
the old city.
9. Cathedral
The Romanesque cathedral was built in
1178. Its bell tower has been recently
damaged by a lightning and the
restoration is still in progress.
The interior is richly decorated. The most
important works are the “Assumption of the
Virgin”, a fresco by Correggio decorating the
dome and the Deposition, a relief by
Benedetto Antelami .
10. The Baptistery
The baptistery, built between 1196
and 1270, is in pink Verona marble.
The building has an octogonal plan,
which symbolizes eternity
It is famous for its engraved portals,
the frescoed dome with the lives of
Saints, and the reliefs inspired to
the work of man in different
months and seasons.
11. Regio Theatre
The Regio theatre, commissioned by Marie
Louise in 1821, is the opera house. It’s
famous for the outstanding quality of the
exhibitions and the fame of the performers.
It’s considered the birthplace of the Italian
opera and its audience is one of the most
qualified and demanding in Italy.
12. Verdi
Giuseppe Verdi is one
of the most important
composers in the
Italian history. Born in
Roncole, near Parma,
in 1813, he wrote
many operas like
Rigoletto, Nabucco, La
Traviata, Aida and
Macbeth.
13. Pilotta and its museums
Pilotta hosted the servants’ home and
stables of the Farnese family. They were
Dukes of Parma and Piacenza ducat from
1550 to 1730.
Inside the Pilotta there are the National
Gallery, the Archaeological Museum and
the Farnese theatre. The theatre was the
first wooden theatre that could be filled
with water to hold naval battles.
15. Barilla Center
Inside Barilla center there is the
most important multi-screen
cinema in Parma and it’s a meeting
point for young people. There are
also a lot of bars, restaurants and
clothes shops.
16. Cittadella
«Cittadella» is a park situated
near the city centre. This is
probably the most popular
park of the city, because of
the large fields where people
can do all types of sports.
17. Every month there are school
Discos and Parties parties that are organized by
school representatives and
discos. During these parties
students can meet students
from different schools and
have fun together. The most
popular discos in Parma are
BeBop, DownUnder and Fuori
Orario.
18. Sports
In Parma you can do a lot of sports: in fact there
are many outdoor and indoor facilities.
19. Parma Economy
Food production
Foodstuff industries
International companies
Tourism
20. Food production:
Main agricultural produce are tomatoes (for the sauce) and corn. Also breeding and pig farms are
highly developed., because typical products, apart from pasta, are Parmesan cheese and Parma
ham. On the hills around Parma there are about 1380 cheese factories .
21. Foodstuff industry
The most important and famous foodstuff industries are Barilla and Parmalat. These
multinational companies also have plants in numerous countries around the world.
22. International companies
Chiesi pharmaceutical is an industry based
on research and production of medicines.
Bormioli is famous for its glassware
23. Tourism
Parma attracts tourists for its historical centre, but also the
important fairs and for the castles in the province.
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