Parma tour: A walk through the history of Europe’s culinary capital

Often overlooked in favour of Italy’s more famous tourist destinations, Parma isn’t just a culinary jewel in Europe’s crown. On this walking tour, I’ll reveal how the region that gave the world Parma Ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano (or “Parmesan”, as it’s often known, which Italians consider a serious faux pas) offers more than meets the eye. I’ll lead you across the city’s piazzas and down its alleys to take you back through the Middle Ages and Italy’s unification, to the days of Ancient Rome.

Our tour starts outside the church of San Giovanni Evangelista, where I’ll tell you about some of the must-see artworks inside, with their decorative Italian finesse. I’ll lead you past the symbolic carvings that adorn all four of the bapstistry’s separate entrances, each of which was used by different participants back in the late 1100s. You’ll also see the beautiful Renaissance soul of the city’s Romanic cathedral, and some of its incredible artwork too.

After a visit to Parma’s well-preserved medieval corner, stop to soak up views of the Parma River, where the city was once barricaded against oncoming Fascists in 1922. You’ll hear how Parma was a hotbed for resistance against the Fascist regime from its very beginnings, through the dark days of the Nazi occupation to the liberation. Having made your way through the city, you’ll end up in tranquil park, Parco Ducale, where you can relax in gardens where lions and tigers once roamed, or admire the majesty of the Duke's palace.

Along the way, you’ll also have a chance to:

• Meet heroes of the Italian unification including Camillo Benso (the Count of Cavour) and Giuseppe Garibaldi, a Sardinian mercenary who Italy was lucky enough to partially claim as its own
• Learn about the life and art of Correggio and have the opportunity to see his rather scandalous rendition of The Assumption of Mary before learning why his statue kept losing its head
• Discover the unusual mannerist painting style of Parmigianino and find out why he was arrested and thrown in prison
• See the Teatro Regio (Royal Theatre) which was built on ancient Roman ruins, and attracts thespians and spectators from around the world
• Visit the Giuseppe Verdi Monument and learn about the world-renowned composer’s political importance during the unification of Italy
• Hear about how someone spray painted “Balbo, you crossed the Atlantic, but not the Parma River!” when the Fascist enforcer Italo Balbo made his infamous transatlantic flight

Give yourself 75 minutes to experience all that this provincial city has to offer, from culture and excellent cuisine to rich history, architecture, and art.

Please note: This tour is designed so that you don’t need to enter any of the sites along its route that require entrance tickets. You will hear plenty of interesting information without needing to go inside. However, if you do want to enter any of the paid attractions, it is recommended that you book ahead of time. Look under the Places to stop along the way section for more booking information.