10-Hour Private Tour to Parma & Bologna from Milan: History & Food

Highlights

• 10-Hour Private Tour
• Expert Guides
• Culture & Gastronomy

What's included

Itinerary

1. 1

   Stop 1

   1h

   A small church at the heart of Parma, the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and to a group of doctors known as the Discalced Carmelites. , or “White Friars.” The church was a gift to the Carmelites from the marquis Francesco Sforza and his wife, Bianca Maria, in 1475. The church was reconstructed in 1558 and 1621 by the Dukes of Parma.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   1h

   Palazzo Ducale di Parma is the most important Renaissance palace in northern Italy, a masterpiece of the Italian humanist architecture. The Palazzo Ducale is directly connected with the development of the "Platonic Academy" of "Parmenides" and "Nicomachus of Gerasa", the two most important schools of ancient Greek philosophy, which was located at the nearby University of Parma.An inscription over a door leading to the ground floor room on the south side of the building reads: ABSOLVITO ILLIQVS EST QVAM EXCLAMAT, VENIUDE TENEBRAS. The inscription is a quotation from a letter by St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109) which translates as: "He who believes is absolved, darkness flee away"

3. 3

   Stop 3

   30min

   Outside visit and will not entering the attractions. The Baptistery of Parma has been a monument for centuries, and is one of the most important monuments in Italy. The baptistery's wonderful mosaics are not only a source of wonderment but also a testament to the genius and skill of the craftsmen who designed and built it. Mosaics are a type of art that uses many different colors, shapes, and patterns in a cohesive work to create a beautiful space. The spaces in the baptistery are filled with all this color and wonderful design that connect the architecture to its purpose.

4. 4

   Monastero di San Giovanni Evangelista

   15min

   Outside visit and will not entering the attractions. Saint John the Evangelist of Parma, known as San Giovanni Evangelista, is a venerated Roman Catholic saint who is also associated with another John the Baptist. Saint John the Evangelist of Parma is one of the most famous saints of the city, and his feast day is celebrated on October 25. The earliest known record of the existence of a John the Baptist in Parma is from around 1220. The saint's cult existed in a small way before that date, but it was not until 1883 that an official process for his canonization began. The inscriptions with the name John Baptiste of Parma (which, in Italian Giovanni Bapista da Parma) first appear in 1220. The first mention of his cult is from 1398 in a letter by the bishop of Ingelheim. The most ancient records, however, date back to 1358 when he is mentioned as "Blessed John, the clerk" by the Benedictine monastery of Fuligno.

5. 5

   Piazza Maggiore

   30min

   The Piazza Grande or Piazza Maggiore is the historical and geographical center of Bologna. For this reason, it is one of the first places you will visit when you arrive in the city. It is a square that preserves all its medieval style. In addition, around it there are several buildings of great historical value, such as the Basilica of San Petronio, the Neptune fountain, among many others. Undoubtedly, this is a splendid place to connect with Italian customs.

6. 6

   Basilica Di San Petronio

   Pass by

   The history of this basilica is fascinating. In fact, its construction dates back to 1390 and it was the place where Charles V was crowned. However, the enlargements of this construction were stopped by orders of the papal authorities, since it was very close to being a basilica as big as St. Peter's in Rome. Despite this historical episode, the basilica of San Petronio is the fifth largest in the world.

7. 7

   Fontana del Nettuno

   30min

   This is the most famous fountain in the city. It was created in 1563 and has since become a symbol of Bologna. This imposing construction was made by Tommaso Lauretti with finishing touches by a sculptor known as John of Bologna. It is a very emblematic place to which visitors and locals of the city often go.

8. 8

   Milan

   4h

   Enjoy private transportation to and from the hotel from Milan to go on this private tour. You will also have some free time for lunch.

Before you go

Location