What to see in Parma? Here is a beautiful itinerary that will guide you to the discovery of the main testimonies of Art Nouveau, an artistic movement that established itself in Italy at the beginning of the 20th century and that mainly involved the applied arts and architecture.
The itinerary starts from Piazzale Salvo D’Acquisto, one of Parma’s most evocative squares, overlooked by the Residence Liberty (Ex Mobilificio Guastalla), which owes its name to the style in which it was finely crafted. The building was constructed in 1907 to a design by architect Giorgio Alessi Canosio. It enchants with its decorative wrought-iron elements and geometric and phytomorphic motifs intertwined in a harmonious design.
A few steps away from the Liberty Residence, and precisely along Strada Macedonio Melloni, is another splendid Art Nouveau building. We are talking about the Palazzo delle Poste centrali, whose construction dates back to 1905, designed by architect Moderanno Chiavelli. The exterior features a majestic façade and windows adorned with typical Art Nouveau motifs, while the interior features sculptural inserts by Alessandro Marzaroli and frescoes by painters Paolo Baratta and Cleomene Marini. The interior of the Palazzo delle Poste can be visited when the post office is open.
The itinerary then continues to Via dei Farnese 19, near the Parco Ducale, where the charm of Art Nouveau conquers the façades of the Case Bormioli, an imposing complex built by the glass industrialists of the same name along the west bank of the Parma stream in place of ‘unhealthy’ pre-existing dwellings. Dating back to 1905, the Bormioli Houses were designed by architect Alfredo Provinciali. They are elegantly decorated, with wrought iron doors and windows, as well as balconies with floral motifs.
The next stop is Casa Valesi in Via D’Azeglio 6. Designed in 1911 by Moderanno Chiavelli (the same architect who designed the Palazzo delle Poste centrali), it features an elegant turret and a façade embellished with floral decorations and phytomorphic wrought iron in the balconies.
Continuing along the Lungo Parma, at the height of Ponte Italia, at Viale Rustici 8 is the Villino Bonazzi. Thanks to the refined details and spectacular solutions adopted by architect Mario Stocchi Monti, it is considered one of the most important examples of Art Nouveau in the city of Emilia. Here, Art Nouveau seems to come alive in all its eclectic forms, from the modulated corner entrance to the turret and the quadrangular body with painted daisies.
Finally, the last stop on the itinerary is the Cimitero Monumentale della Villetta, located at the end of the avenue of the same name. Besides being the burial place of numerous illustrious personalities (such as Niccolò Paganini, Pietro Barilla, Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa and Paola Borboni), the cemetery complex is also an important example of Art Nouveau art in Italy. Inside, one can admire beautiful shrines and funerary monuments with angels and floral decorations in Art Deco style, stylised figures and natural decorations.
Photo © Roberto Gorreri – Emilia Romagna Turismo
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