few italian towns are as urbane or prosperous as parma, not only a byword for fine food and good living but also a treasure trove of excellent paintings, superlative sculpture and fine medieval buildings.
it boasts one of italy's top opera houses and a panoply of elegant shops and firt-rate bars and restaurants.
the lombard-romanesque duomo on piazza duomo, among the greatest in northern italy, is nenowned for the painting of the assumption (1534) that fills its main cupola by emilian artist, antonio da correggio.
the nave is adorned with the work of pupils of correggio. the south transept features a carved frieze (1178), by benedetto antelami, who was responsible for much of the exquisite battistry (1196) just south of the cathedral.
the reliefs inside and outside the latter, particularly those describing the months of the year, are among the most important of their age in italy.
east of the duomo is the church of san giovanni evangelista whose dome features a fresco of the vision of st.john at patmos by correggio.
frescoes by parmigianino, a pupil of correggio, can be seen here and in the 16th century church of madonna della steccata on via dante.
sights at a glance:
palazzo pilotta;
camera di san paolo;