PARMA – Day One

DSCN6429I was staying in Parma for three nights, so I booked myself a small apartment on Booking.com.  The name of the place was Luigi in Palazzo Bianchi.  I chose it because I liked the way that it looked on the website, it had wi-fi, and was very centrally located, being only steps away from Piazza Duomo.  I was not disappointed.  I loved the place!DSCN6426DSCN6424Being set in a courtyard of a palazzo, it was a perfect place to rest, after a day spent sightseeing.  DSCN6431DSCN6432Most people, when they hear the city of Parma mentioned, think of two things: Prosciutto di Parma, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.  Now, don’t get me wrong – both of those are here, in abundance!  But the city of Parma is more than that.  This is a beautiful city, full of art and history.  A city that deserves time spent exploring its streets, and getting to know its wonderful people.  I decided to begin my own exploring in Piazza Duomo, as it was so close to the apartment, and the weather was a bit iffy, rain periodically falling.  DSCN6435Three of the main attractions in Parma happen to be situated on Piazza Duomo.  The Duomo, of course, is there.  To the right of the Duomo is the Baptistry, while to the left, one can find the Museo Diocesano, which is housed in Palazzo Episcopale.  DSCN6436DSCN6438DSCN6439I decided to start my visit with the Duomo, or the Cattedrale di Parma.  Consecrated in 1106, this building is considered to be one of the most important examples of Romanesque architecture in all of Italy.  DSCN6474DSCN6476DSCN6477DSCN6483DSCN6493DSCN6503My next stop was the Museo Diocesano .  I bought a combination ticket, which gave me admission to all three of the attractions on the piazza.  The museum is lovely, and is a nice way to spend a half of an hour, or so.  DSCN6522DSCN6514DSCN6518Once I was done with the museum, I made a beeline across the piazza, heading to the Battistero di Parma.  DSCN6441Work began on the Baptistry in 1196, but it wasn’t completed and consecrated until 1270.  This is a beautiful building.  It is completely covered in pink marble and is decorated with frescoes and sculptures, which date back to the 13th century.  It is shaped like an octagon, as that is the symbol of eternity.  DSCN6531DSCN6542DSCN6543DSCN6545DSCN6551DSCN6555My three main goals for the day being accomplished, I could now spend the rest of my day leisurely roaming around. DSCN6442DSCN6447DSCN6454DSCN6449DSCN6451DSCN6456DSCN6464DSCN6559DSCN6568DSCN6569DSCN6583DSCN6590DSCN6593DSCN6601DSCN6607DSCN6608DSCN6616DSCN6621DSCN6626DSCN6655DSCN6631DSCN6641DSCN6659Palazzo Cusani is home to the Casa della Musica.  This is a free, fun museum which displays the advance of musical equipment through the modern era.  Inside, you will see old radios, phonograph machines (record players for those of us who remember them…lol), and lots of other interesting things.DSCN6669DSCN6661DSCN6662

 

Next up: more from the city of Parma, including a visit to Palazzo del Pilotta!

 

Note: this blog is written in English and Spanish, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any other translations which may appear.

Leave a Reply