Parma In-depth Walking Tour: Classic Parma Visit, City-Center Medieval Treasures

The former roman forum, Garibaldi Square, has always been the civil heart of the city, and its ancient buildings are among Parma's peculiar highlights: the yellow Palace of the Governor, the Palazzo Podestà and the Municipal Palace;

outstanding religious monuments making it one of the finest italian squares: the Bishop's Palace, the Cathedral dedicated to the Madonna of the Assumption with its elegant gothic bell tower and the Baptistry of Saint John the Baptist; .............................. CATHEDRAL Piazza Duomo OPENING HOURS Daily from 10:00am to 6:00pm Closed on Dec. 25th, from 12:30am to 3:30pm FREE ENTRY .......................... BAPTISTERY AND DIOCESAN MUSEUM Piazza Duomo OPENING HOURS Daily from 10:00am to 6:00pm

the spread of Christianity in the town, starting with Roman times and continuing with the early medieval and medieval sections. Not to be missed the original statues by medieval sculptor Benedetto Antelami, once placed on the baptistry

The Cathedral remains one of the most notable examples of the Romanesque art of the Po Valley. Its construction began in the second half of the 11th and continued over several centuries. Like the baptistry the Cathedral was embellished by architect Benedetto Antelami, noteworthy his Deposition from the Cross in the right transept; not to be missed is the surprising decoration of the Dome, painted by a highly influential illusionistic fresco by Renaissance painter Antonio da Correggio, the great master of Parma painting in the italian '500.

Architecturally, the Baptistery of Parma marks a transition between the Romanesque and Gothic styles, and it is considered to be among the most important Medieval monuments in Europe. Its peculiar octagonal structure with white and rose marbles was began in 1196 on a design by architect Benedetto Antelami who also carved the well preserved sculptures both outside and inside the monument.