Parma (Italian: [ˈparma]; Parmigiano: Pärma [ˈpɛːʁmɐ]) is a city in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It is known for its architecture, music, art, prosciutto (ham), cheese, and the countryside around it. As of 2025, Parma has a population of 202,111 people, making it the second most populous city in Emilia-Romagna after Bologna, the region's capital. The city is home to the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world. Parma is divided into two parts by a stream that shares the city's name. The district on the west side of the river is called Oltretorrente, which means "The other side of the stream." The city's Etruscan name was adapted by the Romans to describe a round shield known as Parma.

History

The Roman Republic existed from 183 BC to 27 BC. The Roman Empire followed from 27 BC to 285 AD. The Western Roman Empire lasted from 285 AD to 476 AD. The Kingdom of Odoacer ruled from 476 AD to 493 AD. The Ostrogothic Kingdom was next, from 493 AD to 553 AD. The Eastern Roman Empire existed from 553 AD to 568 AD. The Lombard Kingdom ruled from 568 AD to 773 AD. The Carolingian Empire lasted from 773 AD to 781 AD. The Regnum Italiae was from 781 AD to 1014 AD. The Holy Roman Empire existed from 1014 AD to 1114 AD. The Free Commune was from 1114 AD to 1341 AD. The Duchy of Milan ruled from 1341 AD to 1513 AD. The Papal States existed from 1513 AD to 1554 AD. The Duchy of Parma was from 1554 AD to 1808 AD. The First French Empire ruled from 1808 AD to 1814 AD. The Duchy of Parma, Piacenza, and Guastalla existed from 1814 AD to 1848 AD. The Duchy of Parma was from 1851 AD to 1859 AD. The United Provinces of Central Italy lasted from 1859 AD to 1860 AD. The Kingdom of Italy ruled from 1861 AD to 1943 AD. The Italian Social Republic existed from 1943 AD to 1945 AD. The Italian Republic has been in place since 1946 AD.

Parma was an important area even in the Bronze Age, which was around 1500 BC to 800 BC. At that time, people built wooden villages called "terramare" on piles near rivers. These villages were square-shaped and built on dry land. The first large burial sites, called necropoleis, were built in what are now Piazza Duomo and Piazzale della Macina.

Parma was likely founded by the Etruscans, an ancient people. The word "parma" might come from a word for a circular shield, which the Etruscans used. The Romans later adopted similar shields. It is not clear if the city got its name from its shape or because it protected people from enemies.

The Romans built a colony in Parma in 183 BC, along with Mutina (now Modena). They brought 2,000 families to live there. Parma was an important place where roads crossed, including the Via Aemilia and Via Claudia. The city had a central square, now called Garibaldi Square. In 43 BC, the city was destroyed, but Augustus rebuilt it later. During the Roman Empire, Parma was honored with the name "Julia" for its loyalty to the Roman rulers.

In 452 AD, the leader Attila destroyed Parma. Later, the Germanic king Odoacer gave the city to his followers. During the Gothic War, the city was destroyed again by Totila. After that, Parma was part of the Byzantine Exarchate of Ravenna, where it was renamed Chrysopolis, meaning "Golden City." From 569 AD, it was part of the Lombard Kingdom of Italy. During the Middle Ages, Parma became a key stop on the Via Francigena, a major road connecting Rome to Northern Europe. Pilgrims traveled through Parma, and many castles, hospitals, and inns were built to help them.

Parma had a Jewish community in the Middle Ages. The Palatine Library in Parma holds the largest collection of Hebrew manuscripts in Italy and the second-largest in the world.

In 774 AD, Parma became the capital of a county under Frankish rule. It was officially part of the Holy Roman Empire created by Charlemagne but was ruled locally by bishops. Two bishops of Parma became rival popes: Càdalo and Guibert. Around 1140 AD, a self-governing commune was formed in Parma. A treaty between Parma and Piacenza in 1149 is the oldest record of a commune led by consuls. After 1183 AD, when the Italian communes gained more rights, Parma had conflicts with nearby cities like Reggio Emilia, Piacenza, and Cremona over control of trade routes along the Po River.

Parma was also involved in the conflict between Guelphs (supporters of the Pope) and Ghibellines (supporters of the Holy Roman Emperor). In 1213 AD, the city’s leader was a Guelph named Rambertino Buvalelli. After many years of supporting the Emperor, the Pope’s supporters took control in 1248 AD. The city was attacked by Emperor Frederick II in 1247–1248, but he was defeated. Later, imperial forces won a battle against the people of Parma. Frederick II died in 1250 AD, and Parma agreed to peace.

By 1328 AD, Rolando de' Rossi became the ruler of Parma. In 1331 AD, the city submitted to King John of Bohemia. Parma came under the control of Milan in 1341 AD. After a short period of independence under the Terzi family (1404–1409), the Sforza family ruled Parma (1440–1449) with help from other families like Pallavicini and Farnese. These families built strong castles and ruled the area.

In 1554 AD, the Duchy of Parma was created. The Farnese family ruled Parma for many years. They built grand palaces, gardens, and libraries. The Farnese family moved many artworks and books from Parma to Naples in the 1700

Geography

In Parma, the average high temperature each year is 17 °C (63 °F), the average low temperature is 9 °C (48 °F), and the yearly rainfall is 777 millimetres (30.59 inches).

This information comes from a weather station at the university in the city center. The station is influenced by the urban heat island effect. Parma has a mid-latitude, four-season humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa) with strong influences from the continent because the city is located inland. Nearby coastal areas, such as Genoa, have much milder climates with cooler summers and warmer winters. Mountains between Parma and the Mediterranean Sea block the sea air, creating a difference in climate. Each winter, the city receives about 45 centimetres of snow.

Demographics

As of 2025, Parma has a population of 198,986 people. Of these, 48.7% are male and 51.3% are female. Children under 18 make up 15.2% of the population, and people who receive pensions account for 22.6%. This compares to the Italian average of 14.9% children under 18 and 24.7% retirees. Between 2011 and 2021, Parma’s population increased by 11.1%, while Italy’s population decreased by 0.7%. During the same period, the number of foreign-born residents in Parma grew by 385.02%, compared to a 274.75% increase in Italy. Parma’s current birth rate is 8.62 births per 1,000 people, which is higher than Italy’s average of 8.01 births per 1,000 people.

As of 1 January 2016, 84.09% of Parma’s population was Italian. The largest group of foreign-born residents came from other parts of Europe, including Moldova, Romania, Albania, and Ukraine (6.45%). This was followed by people from Sub-Saharan Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, and Ivory Coast: 1.81%), North Africa (Morocco and Tunisia: 1.46%), and the Philippines (1.33%).

Main sights

• Parma Cathedral (started 1090) – Romanesque church containing a 12th-century sculpture by Benedetto Antelami and a dome fresco (1526–1530) by Antonio da Correggio.
• Baptistery (started 1196) – pink Verona marble baptistery by Antelami, next to the cathedral.
• San Giovanni Evangelista (10th century; rebuilt 1498 & 1510) – abbey church behind the cathedral’s apse, with a late-Mannerist front by Simone Moschino. The dome has a fresco titled Vision of St. John the Evangelist (1520–22) by Correggio, a landmark in illusionistic perspective ceilings. Cloisters and library are also notable.
• Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata (started 1521) – octagonal Renaissance church famous for Correggio’s dome frescoes.
• Sant’Uldarico, Parma (built 1411) – late-Gothic church originally part of a convent.
• San Paolo, Parma (11th century) – former Benedictine convent containing Correggio’s frescoes in the Camera di San Paolo (1519–20) and paintings by Alessandro Araldi.
• San Francesco del Prato (13th century) – Gothic church used as a jail from the Napoleonic era until the 1990s, when its 16 façade windows were reopened. The Oratory of the Concezione contains frescoes by Michelangelo Anselmi and Francesco Rondani.
• Santa Croce (12th century) – Romanesque church with a nave and two aisles ending in a semicircular apse. Rebuilt in 1415 and again in 1635–66. Nave frescoes by Giovanni Maria Conti, Francesco Reti, and Antonio Lombardi date from these periods.
• San Sepolcro (1275) – church built over an earlier structure; interiors renovated in 1506, 1603, and 1701. The Baroque bell tower dates to 1616, and its bells to 1753. Adjacent is the former monastery (1493–95) of the Lateran Canons.
• Santa Caterina d’Alessandria (14th century) – Gothic church noted for its lancet windows and simple brick façade.
• Santa Maria del Quartiere (1604–19) – unusual hexagonal-plan church; dome frescoes by Pier Antonio Bernabei and pupils.
• San Rocco (rebuilt 1754) – late-Baroque church dedicated to one of Parma’s patron saints.
• Santa Cristina (started 1610) – Baroque church renowned for its elaborate stucco decoration.

• Palazzo Ducale (started 1622) – former residence of the Farnese dukes, featuring Baroque interiors and the Theatre of the Ducal Palace.
• Palazzo della Pilotta (1583) – houses the Academy of Fine Arts (School of Parma), the Palatine Library, the National Gallery, the Archaeological Museum, the Bodoni Museum, and the Farnese Theatre. Partially destroyed during World War II.
• Palazzo del Giardino (1561) – designed by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola for Duke Ottavio Farnese on the former Sforza castle site; enlarged in the 17th–18th centuries. Includes the Palazzo Eucherio Sanvitale with 16th-century decorations attributed to Gianfrancesco d’Agrate and a fresco by Parmigianino. The annexed Ducal Park was laid out in French style in 1749.
• Palazzo del Comune (1627) – municipal offices.
• Palazzo del Governatore (13th century) – Governor’s Palace.
• Bishop’s Palace (1055) – episcopal residence next to the cathedral.
• Ospedale Vecchio (1250) – old hospital later renovated in Renaissance style.
• Palazzo Tarasconi (19th century) – historic urban palace now used as an exhibition space.

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Culture

Parma is known for its food and long history of cooking traditions. Two famous foods from Parma are Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (also made in Reggio Emilia) and Prosciutto di Parma, which is called "Parma ham." Both of these foods have a special status that means they can only be made in certain places. Parma is also famous for stuffed pasta dishes, such as tortelli d'erbetta and anolini in brodo.

In 2004, Parma was chosen as the home of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and added to UNESCO's Creative Cities Network as a City of Gastronomy. Parma has two large food companies, Barilla and Parmalat, and a food tourism industry that includes groups like Parma Golosa and Food Valley companies.

• Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, the real "Parmesan"
• Prosciutto di Parma (cured ham)
• Tortelli d'erbetta
• Anolini in brodo

Frazioni

The comune (municipality) of Parma is divided into many frazioni: Alberi, Baganzola, Beneceto, Botteghino, Ca'Terzi, Calestano, Carignano, Carpaneto, Cartiera, Casalbaroncolo, Casalora di Ravadese, Casaltone, Case Capelli, Case Cocconi, Case Crostolo, Case Nuove, Case Rosse, Case Vecchie, Casino dalla Rosa, Casagnola, Castelletto, Castelnovo, Cervara, Chiozzola, Coloreto, Colorno, Corcagnano, Eia, Fontanini, Fontanellato, Fontevivo, Gaione, Ghiaiata Nuova, Il Moro, La Catena, La Palazzina, Malandriano, Marano, Marore, Martorano, Molino di Malandriano, Osteria San Martino, Panocchia, Paradigna, Pedrignano, Pilastrello, Pizzolese, Ponte, Porporano, Pozzetto Piccolo, Quercioli, Ravadese, Ronco Pascolo, Rosa, San Pancrazio, San Prospero, San Ruffino, San Secondo, Sissa, Soragna, Terenzo, Tizzano Val Parma, Traversetolo, Trecasali, Valera, Viarolo, Viazza, Vicofertile, Vicomero, Vigatto, Vigheffio, Vigolante.

Notable people

• Michelangelo Anselmi, painter from Tuscany
• Benedetto Antelami, architect and sculptor
• Alessandro Araldi, painter
• Sisto Badalocchio, painter
• Jacopo Bertoia (Giacomo Zanguidi or Jacopo Zanguidi or Bertoja), painter
• Amedeo Bocchi, painter
• Giulio Carmignani, painter
• Antonio da Correggio (Antonio Allegri), born in Correggio (Reggio Emilia), painter

• Francesco Marmitta, painter
• Filippo Mazzola, painter
• Francesco Mazzola, best known as Il Parmigianino, painter
• Girolamo Mazzola Bedoli, painter
• Giovanni Maria Francesco Rondani, painter
• Bartolomeo Schedoni, painter

• Vittorio Adorni, cyclist
• Giovanni Amighetti, composer and musician
• Amoretti Brothers, typographers and typefounders, Bodoni's opponents
• Andrea Belicchi, racing driver
• Attilio Bertolucci, poet
• Bernardo Bertolucci, director
• Giuseppe Bertolucci, director
• Giambattista Bodoni, typographer
• Vittorio Bottego, explorer
• Cleofonte Campanini, conductor
• Girolamo Cantelli, politician
• Francesco Cura, actor, singer, and model
• Elizabeth Farnese, Queen of Spain
• Odoardo Farnese, duke of Parma
• Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, military commander
• Adalgisa Gabbi (1857–1933), opera singer
• Francesco Gabriele Frola, ballet dancer
• Vittorio Gallese, physiologist
• Pietro Gandolfi, racing driver
• Fiorello Giraud, opera singer
• Giovannino Guareschi, writer
• Enzo Magnanini, footballer
• Adriano Malori, cyclist
• Artemio Motta, composer
• Franco Nero, actor
• Antonio Brianti, architect
• Ferdinando Paer, composer
• Niccolò Paganini, composer and musician, buried in Parma
• Renzo Pezzani, poet
• Andrea Rizzoli, racing driver
• Alex Szilasi, pianist
• Arturo Toscanini, conductor
• Paul Yeboah (Bello FiGo), singer
• Giuseppe Verdi, opera composer
• Marcus Thuram, footballer
• Simone Feroci, bassist
• Jerry Torre, footballer
• Sergio Costa, businessman, founder of Costa Coffee

Sport

Parma Calcio 1913 was created in 2015 and plays in Serie A, which is the top football league in Italy. It took over from Parma F.C., which could not pay its debts in 2015. The team plays its home games at Stadio Ennio Tardini, a stadium that opened in 1923 and can hold up to 23,000 people.

Parma is also home to a rugby team called Zebre, which plays in Pro14, a major rugby competition worldwide. Two other rugby teams, Overmach Rugby Parma and SKG Gran Rugby, compete in Italy’s top rugby league.

The city’s American football team is called Parma Panthers. This team inspired the book Playing for Pizza by John Grisham. The rugby and American football teams share their home field at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

Other sports teams in Parma include Pallavolo Parma (a volleyball team) and Parma Baseball (a baseball team). Nino Cavalli Stadium is a baseball field in Parma and serves as the home field for Parma Baseball in the Italian Baseball League.

Economy and infrastructure

Parma has a strong economy, and its local food industry is very focused. Some of the largest companies in this area include Barilla, which is located in the city. Chiesi Farmaceutici, a company in the pharmaceutical industry, is also based in Parma. The European Food Safety Authority is headquartered in Parma as well.

Parma railway station is part of the Milan to Bologna railway line.

The Parma trolleybus system has been operating since 1953. It replaced an older tramway network and currently includes four trolleybus routes.

The city is served by Aeroporto Internazionale di Parma. However, this airport only offers flights to a few places in Europe. The nearest international airport is Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, which is located 94 km (58 mi) east of Parma.