Parma at the time of the Cathedrals

ITINERARY

   2,5 h approx.

 1,5 h approx.

Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta

Battistero

Vescovado

Chiesa di San Francesco del Prato

Sacello di San Paolo

Chiesa di Santa Croce

This fascinating itinerary allows you to immerse yourself in the suggestive atmosphere of Parma “at the time of the Cathedrals”, rediscovering monuments and corners still intact of its glorious Middle Ages, always starting from its heart: Piazza Duomo.

We start from the Cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, the imposing custodian of priceless treasures, first of all the dome frescoed by Correggio and the plate with the Deposition of Benedetto Antelami. Linked to the name of this great Master is also the Baptistery next door, in pink marble, which with its slender but powerful forms marks the transition from Romanesque to Gothic art. Inside there are the famous statues of the Twelve Months. The Piazza is closed by the Vescovado, a palace from the 11th century, but rebuilt over the centuries.

Behind the Duomo, not far away, is the Church of San Francesco del Prato, a jewel of Gothic architecture, debased by Napoleon and transformed into a prison and now in the midst of a restoration that will lead to its ancient majesty.

Starting from Piazza Duomo, but going down via Cavour, you can reach, instead, the nearby Monastery of St. Paul (also famous for preserving the Chamber of the Abbess, frescoed by Correggio) where there is still the ancient Sacellum of St. Paul. A small cubic room with a hemispherical dome, it is the original early-medieval nucleus around which the whole complex was built.

Another important example of the medieval remains of the city is the Church of Santa Croce with its Romanesque capitals, animated by fantastic figures. The church can be reached from Piazza Duomo, along the ancient Via Aemilia to the west (now Via Mazzini-Via D’Azeglio), always passing through Via Cavour.

Some traces of Romanesque art, linked to religious buildings, can also be found in the external walls of the churches of San Tommaso and Sant’Andrea, both located in the city center.

Splendid examples of Gothic art are, instead, the Church of Carmine (now the auditorium of the adjacent Conservatory of Parma) and the Cistercian Abbey of Vaserena or Paradigna – San Martino dei Bocci (current seat of the CSAC on the road to Colorno).

ADVICES

For a complete immersion in medieval Parma, we suggest visiting the Diocesan Museum, also in Piazza Duomo (inside precious remains of the primitive city basilica of the fifth-sixth century.), and to cross the picturesque alley (Vicolo del Vescovado) that connects the square to the street to the cathedral: it will seem to make a leap in time!

Not to be missed is the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, which overlooks the main square of the city, Piazza Garibaldi.  It is recommended to enter the sacred places with appropriate clothing.