Parma – famous ham and cheese, Italy
Updated June 10, 2026 by europeexplored
The name Parma is spoken in kitchens around the world. Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano-Reggiano have made this city famous long before most tourists ever visit. But Parma is far more than its edible exports. The Romanesque cathedral and baptistery dominate the old centre, their pink Verona marble glowing in the afternoon light. Correggio’s fresco of the Assumption of the Virgin fills the cathedral dome with a swirling vision of heaven. The Teatro Regio, one of Italy most celebrated opera houses, hosts performances that draw music lovers from across Europe. The food markets overflow with culatello, torta fritta, and aged balsamic.
The name Parma is spoken in kitchens around the world. Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano-Reggiano have made this city famous long before most tourists ever visit. But Parma is far more than its edible exports. The Romanesque cathedral and baptistery dominate the old centre, their pink Verona marble glowing in the afternoon light. Correggio’s fresco of the Assumption of the Virgin fills the cathedral dome with a swirling vision of heaven. The Teatro Regio, one of Italy most celebrated opera houses, hosts performances that draw music lovers from across Europe. The food markets overflow with culatello, torta fritta, and aged balsamic.
The small town of Parma can be found between Bologna and Milan. Over the past few years, the town of Parma has become a popular tourist destination. Thousands of people make their way to this quaint town that is credited with the creation of the world famous parmesan cheese. The town itself dates back to the Etruscans period. By the 2nd century B.C., the area would fall under Roman control.
Parma Baptisterium, Italy by Philip Schäfer
Up until the middle ages, the town of Parma was regularly attacked, plundered and destroyed. There were many such occasions in which the entire town was rebuilt from the ground up. However, there are still a number of beautiful sites in this small Italian town that dates back to the 11th century. The most famous attraction in Parma is a pink marble tower which can be found in the town’s center. Taking more than 60 years to construct, the Parma Baptisterium has become a symbol of the city. Shortly after its completion, the tower had been damaged by an earthquake requiring it to be rebuilt.
Anyone who visits Parma will have to make their way over to the Teatro Regio which is the city’s own opera house. Arturo Toscanini, the famous conductor was born in Parma and the Theater is now a museum which is dedicated to the life and genius of Toscanini.
Of course we would not have parmesan cheese if it were not for the town of Parma. The town is also known for its special ham recipes too. Today, Parma stands as the European Association for Food Safety’s official home. One cannot go to Parma without trying the many local delicacies which are world renowned. While the town may not have a lot in architectural attractions, the cheese and hams of Parma are an attraction in their own right.
Is it the art or the food that would draw you to Parma? Be honest with yourself.
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The Cathedral, Baptistery, and Correggio Fresco
Parma Cathedral, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin, was consecrated in 1116 and is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in northern Italy. The facade, constructed from pink Verona marble, features three tiers of loggias and a central rose window framed by symbols of the evangelists. The interior is dominated by the dome fresco of the Assumption of the Virgin, painted by Correggio between 1526 and 1530. The fresco creates the illusion of the dome opening to the sky, with the Virgin ascending amid a swirling vortex of angels and saints. The foreshortening and perspective techniques were revolutionary for their time and influenced Baroque ceiling painting across Europe. The cathedral treasury contains the illuminated Galliano Gospels from the 11th century and a collection of liturgical vestments embroidered with gold thread. The Battistero di San Giovanni, the octagonal baptistery adjacent to the cathedral, was begun in 1196 by Benedetto Antelami and completed in the 13th century. The interior is covered with Byzantine-influenced frescoes and features a series of relief sculptures depicting the months, the seasons, and scenes from the life of Christ. The baptistery is the most important medieval monument in Parma. Combined entry for the baptistery and cathedral costs 8 euros.
Food heritage: Parmesan, Prosciutto, and Culatello
The food heritage of Parma is protected by strict European regulations that define the production methods for each product. Parmigiano-Reggiano is made only from the milk of cows raised in the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and parts of Mantua and Bologna. Each wheel weighs approximately 40 kilograms and requires 550 litres of milk. The cheese is aged for a minimum of 12 months, with the most prized wheels aged 24 to 36 months. Prosciutto di Parma is made from the hind legs of specially bred pigs raised in eleven designated regions of northern and central Italy. The hams are dry-cured with sea salt and aged for at least 400 days in the microclimate of the Parma hills. Culatello di Zibello, a more refined cured meat made from the rear muscle of the pig, is aged in the foggy lowlands along the Po River and considered the king of Italian salumi. The Consorzio del Culatello di Zibello offers tours of the ageing cellars. The Caseificio San Simone, a working cheese dairy 15 minutes from the city centre, offers guided tours and tastings. Parma is also home to the University of Gastronomic Sciences in nearby Pollenzo, which offers degree programmes in food studies and hosts conferences on food sustainability.
Is it the art or the food that would draw you to Parma? Be honest with yourself.
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Getting to Parma and Planning Your Visit
Parma is well connected by high-speed rail, with trains from Milan taking approximately one hour and from Bologna 45 minutes. The city is also accessible from the A1 motorway. The Verdi Festival, held annually in October at the Teatro Regio, celebrates the composer born in nearby Busseto with opera performances and concerts. Tickets sell out months in advance. The city offers food-themed tours including visits to Parmigiano-Reggiano dairies, prosciutto curing houses, and balsamic vinegar attics. These tours typically cost between 50 and 80 euros for a half-day experience including tastings. Parma is compact and most attractions are within walking distance of the central railway station. The best time to visit is between April and June or September and October when the weather is mild and crowds are manageable.
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