麻豆APP

Parma, Italy. Unknown Author.

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about Parma, Italy

Parma is a city in the Northern Italian Region of Emilia-Romagna. Parma鈥檚 Etruscan name was adapted by Romans to describe the round shield called Parma. It is divided into two parts by the stream of the same name.

Parma is home to the University of Parma. One of the oldest universities in the world. The city is known for its architecture, music, art, prosciutto and cheese.

Parma is the second most populous city in Emilia-Romagna. It has a population of more than 198,292 inhabitants.

The city has a thriving economy. The food sector of this City is very developed. The European Food Safety Authority is also based in Parma. Chiesi Farmaceutici in the pharma industry is headquartered in Parma.

 During the Middle Ages, Parma was ruled by the Franks and was part of the Holy Roman Empire. However, during the 1200鈥檚 it became engulfed in the conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines.

 In the 1800s, the city was annexed by France under the rule of Napoleon. It finally became a part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1860. Due to its long history and influence from various cultures and ruling empires, Parma has a plethora of historical sites and fantastic religious buildings.

Moreover, the city is famous for its food and rich gastronomical tradition. Parma specialities are Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese and Prosciutto di Parma (Parma ham). It also has several delicious dishes like Tortelli d鈥檈rbetta and anolini in brodo.

1. The City was Probably Founded and Named by Etruscans

Parma was probably founded by the Etruscans. Parma or Palma were Roman terms for particular arms. The names Parmeal and Parmial appear in Etruscan inscriptions.

The Romans had Changed their rectangular shields for round ones. They imitated the Etruscans.

2. The City was Already a Built-up Area In the Bronze Age

Amazingly, Parma was already a built-up area in the Bronze Age. In the current position of the city rose a Terramare. The Terramare were ancient villages built of wood on piles according to a defined scheme and squared form.

They were constructed on dry land and generally in proximity to the rivers. During this age, the first necropolis was constructed. They constructed the sites of the present-day Piazza Duomo and Piazzale della Macina.

3. The Roman colony was founded in 183 BC

Parma, piazza Garibaldi Unknown author

In 183 BC, The Roman colony was established in Parma. 2,000 families were settled. The city had certain importance as a road hub over the Via Aemilia and the Via Claudia.

It had a forum, in what is today the central Garibaldi Square. During the Roman Empire, it gained the title of Julia for its loyalty to the imperial house.

4. Attila sacked the city in 452 and Germanic King Odoacer Gifted it to his Followers

In 452, the city was attacked by Attila. Furthermore, the Germanic king Odoacer later gifted the city to it to his followers.

The city was also destroyed during the Gothic war by Tolita. The city became part of the Byzantine Exarchate of Ravenna of the Lombard Kingdom of Italy.

 The name of the city was changed to Golden City. Probably due to the presence of the imperial treasury.

5. The City was Ruled by its Bishops from the 9th Century

Parma. Author Albertomos.

Parma became the capital of a county in 774. This was under Frankish rule. The city was nominally a part of the Holy Roman Empire created by Charlemagne. However, it was locally ruled by its bishops.

  Two of its bishops became antipopes. These were C脿dalo, founder of the cathedral, as Honorius II and Guibert, Clement III.

6. The City was Extensively Damaged during World War II

Duri world war II, Parma was a strong centre of Partisan resistance. In the spring of 1944, the train station and marshalling yards were targets for high-altitude bombing by the Allies.

Much of the Palazzo della Pilotta was destroyed. Along with it the Teatro Farnese and part of the Biblioteca Palatina were destroyed by Allied bombs.

Additionally, some 21,000 volumes of the library鈥檚 collection were lost. Several other monuments were also damaged such as Palazzo del Giardino, Steccata and San Giovanni churches, Palazzo Ducale, Paganini theatre and the monument to Verdi.

7. The Name of Napoleon is also linked to the city of Parma

 In 1793, the great military commander began his Italian campaign. By the end of the century, he had conquered many different regions including the city of Parma.

 Shortly afterwards, he commissioned his second wife Maria Luisa of Hapsburg-Lorraine to govern Parma. she maintained her influential power until she died in 1847.

Upon her orders, houses were constructed in Parma and old neighbourhoods were rebuilt. Maria Luisa also turned her hand to the cultural development of the city.

 It was on her orders that the Teatro Regio of Parma was founded. The Maria Luisa of Hapsburg-Lorraine Museum located in Garibaldi tells the story of this woman governor.

8. Parma is Famous for its Food and Rich Gastronomical Tradition

La Forchetta Restaurant. Author Kgbo.

The city is famous for its two specialities. These are Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma (Parma ham). Parma also has several stuffed pasta dishes like Tortelli d鈥檈rbett鈥� and anolini in brodo.

The city was appointed the seat of the European Food Safety Authority in 2004. Furthermore, It was appointed to the Creative Cities Network as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Parma also has two food multinationals, Barilla and Parmalat. Additionally, a medium-large food tourism sector is represented by Parma Golosa and Food Valley companies.

9. Football is a very Popular Sport in Parma

. A line-up of Parma A.C. Author Foto Candi Silla.

Parma Football Club was founded in 1913 and is playing in Serie A. Serie A the top-level football In Italy. Their home stadium is Stadio Ennio Tardini. It was opened in 1923 and has 23,000 seats.

Additionally, Parma’s other sports are Rugby Union club zebra. It competes in Pro14. The city also is home to two rugby union teams in the top national division, Overmatch Rugby Parma and SKG Gran Rugby.

Pallavolo Parma and Parma Baseball are other sports teams in the city. Nino Cavalli Stadium is a baseball stadium located in Parma. It is the home stadium of Parma Baseball of the Italian Baseball League.

10. Tourist Sector with Historical Architectures

Baptistery of Parma, Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Author Norbert Nagel.

Parma city attracts tourists from all corners of the world. The city is rich with beautiful Art, gorgeous architecture and a world-class opera show making it one of the country鈥檚 most captivating cities.

Italian cities are synonymous with eye-catching architecture and Parma鈥檚 contributions come in the form of beautiful churches, palazzi and theatres.

 Head inside Parma Cathedral and you鈥檒l be able to observe its famous frescoes, such as Correggio鈥檚 鈥楢ssumption of the Virgin鈥�. Decorating the dome creates the illusion of apostles and clouds floating upwards as Christ descends from the heavens.

The adjacent Baptistery of Parma is a wonderful example of the transition from Romanesque to early Gothic architecture, constructed in pink Verona marble. Whether you鈥檙e an opera fan or not, you鈥檒l find something to appreciate at the stunning Teatro Regio or Teatro Farnese with its Renaissance-style wooden interior.