Hi friends, I hope you’re doing well and that everything is going smoothly. Yesterday, I popped over to Parma to take care of some work matters. But as you know, my love for art and museums is truly unique, so while I was there, I took the opportunity to visit a few museums and see things I’d never seen before. In my opinion, Parma might not be the most famous tourist destination, but it has so many stories to tell. Before starting my tour, though, I treated myself to a quick break at a café in the city center—a good coffee and a few minutes to soak up the atmosphere—and then I set off to explore this fantastic city.
My first stop was the Benedetto Antelami Diocesan Museum, located right in Piazza Duomo; it is a small museum, but in my opinion, it is incredibly rich. The exhibits trace the history of the spread of Christianity in Parma, ranging from Roman-era artifacts to the Middle Ages. Essentially, the museum houses various treasures that were originally kept inside the Parma Cathedral and the Baptistery. At the time, I was the only visitor there. I should also mention that I purchased a single combined ticket—valid for two days—which allowed me to visit the Diocesan Museum and the Baptistery; naturally, I also visited the Parma Cathedral, which had free admission.
As I mentioned, visiting the cathedral is free; tourist access is simply suspended during religious services—which is standard practice. However, I always recommend checking the opening times before you go so you don't get locked out because of a service. In any case, the cathedral left me truly speechless—the frescoes inside are incredibly impressive. I think you really need a couple of hours there to see everything. Fortunately, churches in Italy are truly beautiful.
I have to be honest: what struck me the most was the Baptistery of Parma—it was a real surprise for me. I don't want to sound like a layperson, but it actually impressed me almost more than the one in Florence. It is a building I had seen many times in photographs, but seeing it in person is a completely different experience. Built from pink Verona marble and designed by Benedetto Antelami, the Baptistery has a distinctive octagonal shape; yet, upon entering, one is truly enchanted by the sculptures, the decorations, the dome, and—above all—the cycle depicting the months, seasons, and signs of the zodiac, which unfolds into a genuine narrative.
All in all, what was supposed to be a simple workday turned into a brief immersion in beauty. I was delighted, as it reminded me how wonderful it is to take the time to step into a museum, look up at a dome or a fresco, and simply let yourself be amazed—to me, time spent like that is the best thing in the world. Parma truly won me over, and I will certainly be back to see more. In the meantime, thank you for reading, and see you next time.
One last, somewhat culinary piece of advice I’d like to share: if you happen to be passing through Parma, you really should try their sweet tortelli—at least, I think that’s what they’re called. I had them as a snack; they’re basically tortelli filled with chocolate, and let me tell you, they are delicious.