Parma 8, 9 June

Parma is lovely but very hot at the moment. It’s small enough to wander quietly around, has friendly people and some good sites to explore. It's nice to have a more relaxing time after the bustle of Milan. There are three notable things, Parma ham, parmesan cheese and bicycle’s rule. The terrain is very flat and anyone and everyone rides - with not a trace of Lycra to be seen.

The first day was Sunday and the whole town seemed to be heading for the Duomo in their best clothes for some special event.

 

The Palazzo della Pilotta, built for the Farnese family in 1583, houses several museums.

They include the beautiful Teatro Farnese, constructed entirely of wood.

 

The bridge over Torrente Parma leads to the huge Parco Ducale which was originally part of the grounds of the Farnese property.

 

The park was full of picnickers and cyclists.

Lots of the children had these weird bikes.

 

This palace is now headquarters for the Carabinieri.

 

We made an interesting visit to the childhood home of the famous conductor Arturo Toscanini.

Dinner the first night was spent watching the passigata on the Piazza Garabaldi.

 

Of course it was Parma ham and Parmesan cheese.

 

 The evening view from our hotel room.

 

The doors of the Duomo.

 

Inside is very Baroque and heavy.

 

We loved the inlaid wood on the choir stalls.

 

The Baptistry, complete in 1307, is a beautiful pink marble.

The inside is an absolute marvel.

 

This is the dome. The ribs are made from marble.

 

The Chiesa di San Giovanni.

 

It's 16th century frescoed dome is the work of Correggio.

 

In the Renaissance cloisters of the attached monastery.

 

 The beautiful reading room of the Monastery library. The walls contain huge old maps.

 

The Piazza Garibaldi by day.

  

 

   This shop sells cheese, ham and a hole array of other interesting food.