Hamming it up in Parma ...

We have just returned from a three-day trip to Parma and Ferrara.  We found the towns very different in character - Parma felt like a quiet provincial market town, while Ferrara, with its university, was full and bustling day and night.

We took the train northwards up the Serchio valley to Aulla - the stupendous mountain views are almost impossible to photograph, as they are to be seen when the train is in motion - the stations generally have no views.  From Aulla we go through the Appenines round in a curve, eventually heading south to Parma.  Apart from Parma ham and Parmesan cheese, Parma has an important fresco by Corregio which we wanted to see in the Cathedral, however, we have just found out there is another important one in Parma which we missed.  Not enough homework!

A quick cup of coffee in the breakfast room of our B&B 

What Parma is all about ...

The wonderfully decorated post office building in Parma

More wonder - Corregio's frescoed dome in the cathedral

With rucksack, heading out - the Baptistery in pink Verona marble visible in mid-distance

Barbara at the vast Palazzo della Pilotta dating from 1588.  It was even huger until it was devastated by allied bombing in World War II

The amazing wooden Farnese Theatre - much of it reconstructed after bomb damage.  It was built inside an enormous room in the palace - the armoury - simply to put on a show for Cosimo II de' Medici in 1618 - and apparently the show never happened!

Even renaissance men had problems with their wood splitting ...