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OVERVIEW
Parma is the capital of great music: some of the most famous composers in the world were born or lived here.
The Teatro Regio (Royal Theatre), which now specializes in Verdi's operas, was commissioned by duchess Marie-Luise and built between 1821 and 1829. Cities like Roncole di Busseto gave birth to Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) and Parma to Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957). Nicola Paganini, the world-famous violin virtuoso and composer, also came to live here. Located in a Renaissance palace (Palazzo Cusani, in Piazzale San Francesco), the House of Music, opened in 2002, is a completely new concept featuring an structure that is the only one of its kind in Italy.
Parma's symbol is the Cathedral in the medieval Piazza Duomo. It has an extraordinary Romanesque structure and an imposing facade, with a pitched roof and sculpted loggias. The nearby baptistery was built by the greatest medieval Italian sculptor and architect, Benedetto Antelami.
Giuseppe Verdi's monument stands in Piazza della Pace, in front of the huge and unfinished Palazzo della Pilotta, which now houses the Galleria Nazionale. It contains paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Beato Angelico, Correggio, Tintoretto and Giulio Romano. At the entrance of the building, there is the magnificent Teatro Farnese.
Parma is also known for its typical perfume, Violetta di Parma. Violets were the favourite flower of Marie-Louise, Napoleon's second wife and eventually Duchess of Parma and Guastalla from 1816 to 1847. Parma houses the first Italian Perfume Museum (Museo della profumeria), in Palazzo Borsari.
Leather works are typical local handicrafts and can be found in Via Cavour and Via Repubblica, the local shopping streets.
Parma is the capital of the Italian food valley. Dop Prosciutto di Parma, Dop Culatello di Zibello (culatello is a special kind of ham), Dop Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Felino Salami, the renowned Igp Boletus mushrooms from the Taro valley and Igt Fortana del Taro wine are among some of Parma's best products.
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