Parma is a city in northern Italy, located in the Emilia-Romagna region, between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains. The city’s origins are tied to the Roman Via Aemilia, which connected Rome to the northern part of the Roman Empire. Parma’s prominence grew in the 16th century as the seat of the Farnese duchy, and today it remains one of Italy’s most prosperous cities.

Parma has long been a destination for opera lovers, thanks to Giuseppe Verdi, the great composer of "Aida," who was born in 1813 in the small village of Roncole, north of Parma. Today, the city is a hub for music, education, and commerce, also renowned for its rich culinary traditions. Parma is famous for high-quality ingredients, including:

• Prosciutto di Parma (Parma ham);
• Parmigiano Reggiano cheese;
• The renowned Barilla pasta.

Notable tourist attractions in Parma include:

• Parma Cathedral (Duomo) – a Romanesque masterpiece known for the fresco "Assumption of the Virgin Mary" in its main dome, painted by Correggio;
• Palazzo della Pilotta – an impressive brick structure built for the Farnese family, a powerful Roman Catholic dynasty;
• Teatro Farnese – a historic and significant theater;
• Galleria Nazionale – housing remarkable works of art;
• Parco Ducale – a summer residence located on the opposite bank of the river, across from Palazzo della Pilotta;
• Casa Toscanini – the birthplace of the famous conductor Arturo Toscanini.

One of Parma’s key events is the Verdi Opera Festival, held in July and August at the renowned Teatro Regio.