About Parma, Italy:
Nestled in the Parco Agricolo Sud Milano protected area established in 1990, Parma feels miles—and perhaps even centuries—away. However, nearly 1,000 years ago, this peaceful hamlet was quietly humming in the historic Chiaravalle Abbey that would produce one of the most versatile, tasty, and nutritious cheeses in the world.
During the 12th century, industrious Benedictine monks transformed a once marshy land into a working dairy farm, where grazing cows began producing a surplus of milk. To use the extra milk, they began making a savory, hard cheese, which could withstand the test of time. While the monks named it caesus vetus (Latin for “aged cheese”…..the language of the church and universities of the Middle Ages), locals started referring to it as “Grana,” or grainy for its texture, and “Padano,” for the region. Parma became the undisputed world capital of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma (Parma ham). Both have Protected Designation of Origin status.
Parma is also the birthplace of opera conductor Arturo Toscanini and home to. Giuseppe Verdi was born in nearby Roncole Verdi; the city hosts the annual Festival Verdi (Verdi Festival) in the Teatro Regio, one of Italy’s most prestigious opera houses.
Parma is also home to Barilla (pasta) and Parmalat (dairy) headquarters.
Catholic places of interest in Parma, Italy:
Parma Cathedral: Stunning Romanesque cathedral (12th century) with Correggio’s breathtaking frescoes in the dome.
Traveling to Parma, Italy:
The capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy, Parma is is about 75 miles (120 km) southeast of Milan, the nearest major airport hub. Direct trains from Milano Centrale to Parma take approximately 90 minutes.