Enchanting Parma!

Federation

21 March 2024

In the north of Italy, between Milan and Bologna, Parma, host city of the 2024 WFIMC General Assembly, is a discreet town, but one that is not lacking in charm, with its colourful houses, narrow streets, cathedral, castles and, above all, its flavours.

Because while it's a city of history and culture, it's also the capital of good food. It is in its region, Emilia-Romagna, that you will find the most exquisite Italian original products. As we all know, Italy abounds in delights and fresh, high-quality, traditional products. Food is an art form in itself. Refined, both peaceful and dynamic, beautiful, authentic and gastronomic, the City of Parma is well worth a visit so that you can enjoy its Dolce Vita and leave feeling refreshed and envigorated.

Il prosciutto di Parma!

The famous Parma ham! It's hard to resist a plate of prosciutto as an appetizer. And in Parma, it's the perfect opportunity to taste the famous "38 months" of maturing, which literally melts on the palate. Guaranteed by a consortium which ensures its quality, it is recognised by 200 production companies. During the Parma Ham Festival (first weekend in September), you can visit some of them to discover how Parma Ham is made and see for yourself just how natural and nutritionally balanced this product is. The Finestre Aperte (open windows) initiative is the main event of the festival, which attracts a large audience of enthusiasts every year. Producers will open the doors of their ham factories to guide visitors to discover the secrets of the processing cycle, breathing in the scents of the Parma Ham cathedrals.

Parma is THE capital of good Italian food. Ham is king here, but so is the famous parmesan cheese (parmigiano reggiano). You'll find it everywhere in dishes, but it's also delicious (after 24 months of maturing) as an aperitif with a little honey or balsamic vinegar. Emilia-Romagna is also famous for its incomparably flavoursome tomatoes, black truffles, the fragrant Borgotaro mushrooms, salame di Felino, coppa di Parma, Modena balsamic vinegar, and much more.

Parma has very few fast-food restaurants. But there's no shortage of trattorias where you can grab a bite to eat. It's hard to be disappointed, as the whole city is devoted to good food. There are plenty of grocery shops and restaurants that offer fine and tasty cuisine. And that's not counting the legendary welcome... When it comes to specialities, it's impossible to leave Parma without trying the famous Tortelli (a special kind of ravioli with a wide collar) stuffed with spinach and ricotta or with pumpkin. The Torta fritta (a type of fried bread) is a popular accompaniment to a delicious plate of Prosciutto.

Fancy some shopping?

Parma is a fairly prosperous city. As well as the big food companies (such as Barilla), there are of course the big shopping addresses. But it's in the historic centre, on and around the Strada della Repubblica, that we recommend you go shopping. It's a paradise of grocery shops, cheese shops and violet sweets, but it's also a paradise for shoes with the city's own brands, perfumes with the famous perfumer Acqua di Parma, trendy Italian clothes, jewellery, vintage (via Garibaldi and via d'Azeglio), and antiques (around Bogo Tommasini and via Nazario Sauro).

Or visit some of the most beautiful places?

Parma is well worth a visit for its historical heritage. It's great to take a stroll through the charming narrow streets of Parma's old town. Some of its finest features the octagonal Baptistery in pink marble, the Romanesque Duomo and its dome decorated with Correggio frescoes, the Episcopal Palace, the church and convent of San Giovanni Evangelista (dome painted by Correggio and chapels by Parmigianino), the monastery of San Paolo, the Gran Teatro Farnese (one of the largest in the world), the Palazzo della Pilotta which houses the Farnese National Gallery, the Regio theatre, the Palazzo dei Governori in Piazza Garibaldi, etc.