The official language of the Food Integrity 2017 Conference is English 
WHAT TO SEE: IN TOWN
A walk in Parma
The Conference venue is quite close to the historical centre and other appealing locations. In your free time, you may like to visit the main cultural and artistic attractions in town.
PARCO DUCALE
Parma’s best loved public park: the inhabitants often refer to it just as “Il Giardino” (The Garden), as if it were their own. In fact it is a fine, quiet spot for everybody in town. Its genuine neoclassical appearance gives it a fascinating atmosphere: bright gravel paths stroll between green meadows, marble sculptures and huge, old sycamore trees. The park’s definitive structure dates back to the middle 18th century. It includes a well-preserved Renaissance lodge (Palazzetto Eucherio Sanvitale) and neoclassical structures as Palazzo del Giardino, the artificial ruins of the Little Temple of Arcadia and a suggestive pond with a baroque fountain.
How to get there
Parco Ducale lies right behind Starhotel. A convenient pedestrian walkway connects Viale Piacenza to a secondary gate and has an access on the right side of the hotel. You can just follow it to get in the park.
Opening hours
From April to October: Everyday (holidays and weekends included): 6.00 am to midnight.
From November to March: Everyday (holidays and weekends included): 7.00 am to 8.00 pm.
PALAZZO DELLA PILOTTA
A monumental 16th century palace, conceived as residence of the Farnese dukes, an aristocratic dynasty who ruled Parma for almost 200 years. Its imposing, rational aspect hides some of the most significant artistic treasures in town: Teatro Farnese, a Baroque wooden court theatre; the Palatine Library with its collection of rare books and manuscripts and the Galleria Nazionale, with masterpieces by artists like Fra Angelico, Correggio, Leonardo and many more.
How to get there
By bus: take the bus line 6 (direction Baccanelli – Fornovo) in front of the hotel in Viale Piacenza; get off at the fourth stop, which is right in front of the palace.
The bus ride requires about 10 minutes.
Opening hours
- Teatro Farnese: from Tuesday to Saturday, 8.30 am to 7.00 pm; Sunday, 8.30 am to 2.00 pm.
- Palatine Library: from Monday to Thursday, 8.10 am to 7.10 pm; Friday and Saturday, 8.10 am to 1.40 pm.
- Galleria Nazionale: from Tuesday to Saturday, 8.30 am to 7.00 pm; Sunday and holidays, 8.30 am to 2.00 pm.
Find out more about tickets, collections and other Pilotta museums: http://www.parmabeniartistici.beniculturali.it/palazzo-della-pilotta/en/
CATHEDRAL AND BAPTISTERY
Two fine examples of Romanesque architecture and decoration, both located in the ancient Piazza Duomo. The Cathedral, dedicated to the Assumption of Saint Mary, was built in the late 11th century. In further eras, the interiors were enriched with pictorial decorations: the most impressive one is certainly the dome’s Mannerist frescos, painted by Correggio in the 16th century.
The 13th century Baptistery lies beside, adding a touch of sweetness to the stern medieval piazza, due to the special light pink hue of its marble, its richly sculpted portals and its peculiar octagonal layout.
How to get there
By bus: take the bus line 6 (direction Baccanelli – Fornovo) next to Starhotel in Viale Piacenza.
Get off at the fourth stop, which is right in front of the Pilotta palace.
Proceed forward, beyond the palace’s vaults and the green meadow of Piazza della Pace.
Turn right at the second intersection and proceed on Via Cavour.
Turn left at the Strada Duomo intersection and enjoy the view… At that point, the Cathedral will be right in front of you.
The walk from the bus stop requires about 5 minutes.
Opening hours
- Cathedral: Everyday from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
- Baptistery: Everyday from 10.00 am to 6.30 pm
Find out more: http://www.piazzaduomoparma.com/en/
TEATRO REGIO
Originally called New Ducal Theatre, it was built when Parma was under the Habsburg domination. Today, almost 200 years later, it continues to be the proud emblem of the town’s characteristic appreciation for opera, ballet and classical music. The façade shows the typical clean structure of neoclassical public buildings; the interiors are sumptuous, decorated in golden and ivory-white lacquered wood and red velvet… Visiting the theatre is like taking a glance into the glamorous 19th century!
How to get there
By bus: take the bus line 6 (direction Baccanelli – Fornovo) next to the hotel in Viale Piacenza and get off at the fourth stop, which is right in front of the Pilotta palace.
Proceed forward, beyond the palace’s vaults and the green meadow of Piazza della Pace.
Turn right at the end of the pedestrian path: you will reach the theatre immediately.
Opening hours
You can visit the Teatro Regio by booking a guided tour.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 10.00 am to 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm to 5.30 pm
From Thursday to Saturday, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm – 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm
Find out more: http://teatroregioparma.it/Default.en-Us.aspx
GLAUCO LOMBARDI MUSEUM
The Museum is dedicated to the Habsburg era in Parma (early 19th century). It exhibits a rich collection of artworks, furniture, jewellery and clothes which belonged to Duchess Maria Luigia and her husband Napoleon Bonaparte.
How to get there
The Museum is right opposite to Teatro Regio (see previous point).
Opening hours
Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Sunday and holidays, 9.30 am to 7.00 pm
Find out more: http://www.museolombardi.it/sitolombardi/default_eng.asp
SANCTUARY OF SANTA MARIA DELLA STECCATA
This impressive Renaissance sanctuary contains wonders from many different eras: the Mannerist frescos on the vaults and dome, the marble Baroque altar and a great pipe organ from the late 19th century. The multi-coloured decorations on the walls and vaults – some of which were painted by Francesco Mazzola, known as Parmigianino – allow the interior to react to sunlight in a mesmerising way: a visit in Steccata is indeed a unique visual experience.
How to get there
The Sanctuary is just a few metres away from Museo Lombardi, on the same road (see previous point).
Opening times
Everyday, 7.30 am to noon – 3.00 pm to 6.30 pm.
BOTANICAL GARDEN
Created in the 18th century and later transformed into an experimental ecological landscape garden run by the University. If you like to enjoy a pleasant walk among dozens of exotic plants, flowers and ancient trees, into a quiet, rather mysterious spot surrounded by high walls, the botanical garden is the place to be. Obviously, springtime is the best season to visit it.
How to get there
Take the bus line 9 from the railway station. Get off at the 7th stop (Barriera Farini).
Turn left, proceed on Viale Martiri della Libertà; turn right on Via Farini: the garden is just a few metres away.
Opening times
Monday to Thursday, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm; 2.30 to 5.00 pm.
Friday, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm.
Free entry.
Find out more: http://www.musei.unipr.it/en/museums-and-collections/botanic-garden
“OLTRETORRENTE”: PICTURESQUE AND BAROQUE PARMA
Oltretorrente, literally meaning “beyond the creek”, is one of the most lively neighbourhoods in Parma. Nightlife there is quite pleasant; people love to stroll along, stopping from time to time to have a drink, hear live music or pick some tasty street food from shops and diners. Oltretorrente has some significant landmarks, too: Arturo Toscanini Home Museum lies just in one of its old alleys. Furthermore, two splendid late Renaissance – Baroque churches, Santissima Annunziata and Santa Maria del Quartiere, enrich the neighbourhood’s already multi-coloured and picturesque look with their extravagant façades and sumptuous interiors.
How to get there
From the hotel entrance, turn left and proceed until the Via Pasini intersection.
Turn left again, follow Via Pasini until you reach Piazzale Santa Croce.
Turn left again and you will find yourself in Via D’Azeglio, the main street of the neighbourhood! The walk requires 8 to 10 minutes. You can follow the map to reach the museum and the churches.
Find out more about opening hours and locations:
- Arturo Toscanini Home Museum
Borgo Rodolfo Tanzi, 13
http://www.museotoscanini.it/project/default.asp (Page available only in Italian)
- Church of Santa Maria del Quartiere
Strada del Quartiere – intersection with Piazzale Picelli
http://turismo.comune.parma.it/en/thematic-channels/discover-the-area/art-and-culture/churches-baptisteries/church-of-santa-maria-del-quartiere?set_language=en
- Church of Santissima Annunziata
Via Imbriani, 4
http://turismo.comune.parma.it/en/thematic-channels/discover-the-area/art-and-culture/churches-baptisteries/church-of-ss-annunziata
In churches and sanctuaries, visits may be forbidden during the service hours.
MONASTERY AND CHURCH OF SAN GIOVANNI EVANGELISTA
This late Renaissance religious building lies right behind the Cathedral and shows a rather elegant, geometrical marble Baroque façade. The shaded, quiet interiors are dominated by fresco decorations like the Vision of St. John in Patmos, by Antonio Allegri da Correggio, the same painter who worked in the Cathedral. The Monastery is attached to the church and is still inhabited by Benedictine monks.
How to get there
From the Cathedral, follow Via Cardinal Ferrari. You will reach San Giovanni within a minute.
Opening times
- Church
Weekdays: 8.30 am to 11.45 am and 3.00 pm to 5.30 pm.
Sunday and holidays: 3.00 pm to 5.30 pm.
- Monastery
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 9.00 am to 11.45 am and 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm.
AMEDEO BOCCHI MUSEUM
Palazzo Sanvitale, an elegant aristocratic residence in the historical center, is the home of this art museum that displays the best works by Amedeo Bocchi, a prominent painter of the 20th Century.
Born in Parma, he lived in Rome and developed his own peculiar approach to art under the influence of the main artistic tendencies of the Belle Époque period and the 1920s (Gustav Klimt, the many faces of Art Nouveau and Modern style, etc.).
The exhibition allows the visitor to follow Bocchi’s artistic life chronologically.
How to get there
From Piazza del Duomo, take Via Cardinal Ferrari to proceed forward (the Cathedral will be at your left). Turn right at the second intersection and proceed on Strada Cairoli. After about three minutes you will reach the palace.
Opening times
From Tuesday to Sunday, from 10.30 am to 1.00 pm.
CHAMBER AND GARDEN OF SAINT PAUL
The Chamber lies into the Renaissance cloister of St. Paul, as a part of the Abbess’ apartments. Despite being at the core of a former religious building, no Christian subjects can be found in the fresco decoration by Correggio. In fact, the vault aims to create the illusion of a deep-green arbour populated by wildlife and creatures from the ancient Greek mythology; furthermore, on the great fireplace hood, the figure of the goddess Artemis on her chariot is represented.
Within its walls, the former cloister includes also a shaded, pleasant enclosed garden. The building is currently home of museums and public libraries.
How to get there
By bus: take the bus line 6 (direction Baccanelli – Fornovo) next to the hotel in Viale Piacenza and get off at the fourth stop, which is right in front of the Pilotta palace.
Proceed forward, beyond the palace’s vaults and the green meadow of Piazza della Pace, cross the road (via Garibaldi) and proceed straight on Via Melloni. After less than a minute, you will reach the building entrance, which lies on the left side and can be recognised because of a large gate and a tree-lined stone alley.
Opening hours
- Chamber: from Tuesday to Saturday, 8.30 am to 1.30 pm.
- Garden: every day, 8.00 am to 8.00 pm.
CITTADELLA
A public park that lies within the walls of a former military fortress, built in the late years of 18th century. Its peculiar pentagonal layout allows visitors to stroll and run in circles on the bulwarks, enjoying a pleasant view on the green, elegant neighbourhood in the surroundings. Formerly used as military barracks and prison, since the 20th century Cittadella has become a lovely meeting point, especially for families and sport lovers. In fact, it hosts one of the kids’ favourite playgrounds, and the wide paths going up and down the bulwarks are perfect for jogging and roller-skating, while the wide areas in the middle contain football and basketball grounds.
How to get there
Take the bus line 9 from the railway station. Get off at the 7th stop (Barriera Farini). Turn left and proceed on Viale Martiri della Libertà and proceed until the third intersection (Via Passo Buole): the park entrance is right at the end of the street.
Opening hours
Every day, 7.00 am – 9.00 pm.
