Highlights
Don't miss
Step into the Teatro Farnese and let yourself be charmed by the majesty of its wooden cavea, one of the most spectacular Baroque theatre spaces ever built.
Walk through the rooms of the National Gallery and discover absolute masterpieces of Italian painting, from Parmigianino's Antea to the Camera di San Paolo frescoed by Correggio.
Lose yourself among the shelves of the Biblioteca Palatina, where centuries of knowledge rest in ancient volumes and illuminated manuscripts of inestimable value.
Origins and construction: the vision of Ottavio Farnese
The Palazzo della Pilotta began to take shape around 1580. The building was commissioned by Ottavio Farnese, with the project led by the architect Francesco Paciotto.
The aim was to create a great complex intended to integrate with the Ducal Palace. The palazzo was connected to it by a gallery linking the gardens to the residence in the Farnese citadel.
The design and completion reflected the architectural styles that lent significance to the complex.
Evolution and restorations: centuries of transformation
Over the centuries, the Palazzo della Pilotta has undergone numerous expansions and modifications. Different architects have contributed to its architecture, creating an uninterrupted fabric of buildings and architectural areas.
The complex has lived through moments of splendour and decay and has needed restorations, particularly during and after periods of conflict and political instability.
Today the Pilotta is a Monumental Complex that brings together museums, libraries and theatres, recounting stories tied to the cultural life and history of Parma.
The treasures of the Pilotta: Teatro Farnese, National Gallery and Biblioteca Palatina
The Pilotta Complex houses some of the most important museums and cultural institutions in Parma.
The Teatro Farnese, built entirely of wood in 1618, is one of the most spectacular Baroque theatres in the world, with a semicircular cavea that could seat up to 3000 spectators.
The National Gallery preserves an extraordinary collection of works of art from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, including masterpieces by Correggio, Parmigianino, Leonardo da Vinci and El Greco.
A palace-city built by the Farnese to celebrate their power
The Pilotta Monumental Complex, in the historic centre of Parma, is one of the city's foremost cultural monuments. This vast ensemble of buildings is bound up with the Farnese dynasty and stands as a symbol of the ducal power of Parma. Begun in 1583, it covers more than a hectare and faces the river Parma, taking in over the centuries the great institutions of art and learning. Among its principal attractions is the Teatro Farnese, famous for its monumental wooden cavea and its unique architecture. The name 'Pilotta' derives from the game of Basque pelota, originally played by Spanish soldiers in the Governor's courtyard. Today the complex welcomes visitors from all over the world, enchanting lovers of history and art with the cultural heritage that runs through this great chapter of Parma.
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From Ottavio Farnese to a citadel of culture
The Palazzo della Pilotta began to take shape around 1580. The building was commissioned by Ottavio Farnese, with the project led by the architect Francesco Paciotto. The aim was to create a great complex meant to be integrated with the Ducal Palace, with service courts, storage and a covered bridge known as the Corridore that connected the gardens to the palace. Across the centuries the Pilotta was enlarged and reshaped by several architects, producing a layered fabric of buildings and architectural settings. Its purpose ranged from court services to military deposits, including the famous game of pelota that gave the complex its name.
Wars, restorations and rebirth
Through the centuries the Palazzo della Pilotta underwent successive enlargements and alterations, suffering damage during periods of conflict and political instability, especially during the Allied bombardments of the Second World War. Painstaking restoration campaigns have safeguarded the historic integrity of the buildings while opening up new exhibition spaces, transforming the Pilotta into a true Monumental Complex that gathers museums, libraries and theatres under one roof and tells the cultural and historical story of Parma.
Theatre, gallery and library under one ticket
The Pilotta Complex hosts some of the most important museums and cultural institutions of Parma. The Teatro Farnese, built entirely of wood in 1618, is one of the most spectacular Baroque theatres in the world, with a semicircular cavea that could once seat up to 3,000 spectators. The Galleria Nazionale preserves an extraordinary collection of works from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, including masterpieces by Correggio, Parmigianino, Leonardo da Vinci and El Greco. The collection embraces paintings, sculptures and precious objects that bear witness to the magnificence of the Farnese court. The Biblioteca Palatina, founded in 1761, holds over 800,000 volumes, illuminated manuscripts, incunabula and rare editions. It is one of Italy's most important historic libraries, with frescoed reading rooms that create a unique atmosphere for scholars and visitors.