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Palazzo della Pilotta

Palazzo della Pilotta, Parma: Address, Phone Number, Palazzo della Pilotta Reviews: 4/5

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Palazzo della Pilotta

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Palazzo della Pilotta
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#11 of 158 things to do in Parma
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0 mHistoric Sites
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Popular mentions
4.0
624 reviews
Excellent
302
Very good
221
Average
61
Poor
23
Terrible
17
EmmanuelNC
Switzerland331 contributions
far from a gem
Aug 2021 • Solo
quite a deception..
The palazzo from the outside is an ugly brick building, and inside is not close to any palace or castle i’ve seen before.

The only noticeable piece worth seeing is the Leonardo da vinci inside the national gallery.

But be ready to be forced to pay a ticket including the palazzo, the national gallery, the farnese theater, the archeological museum… you cant buy single tickets..

Be warn also that they sell the ticket even if some of the things you pay for are closed, and of course they dont tell you.. ( happened to me i wanted to see the archeological museum, and specially the « tabula alimentaria », but discovered once inside that the whole arch. museum was closed!!

what a rip off.

my advice: go visit the « teatro regio di parma » way nicer, the cathedral, and all other nicer places.
Written 26 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
sosofar
Amsterdam, The Netherlands502 contributions
Lots to see. However, not very customer friendly
Aug 2021
We visited the building which houses several collections on a hot summer day with two young children. Although we understand that CoronaChecks are required in the current situation, we found the attitude of the persons in charge of access control very formal and bureaucratic.Therefore it took an inordinate amount of time to get clearance. The museum complex is very large and houses a large number of artworks. We were most impressed with the Teatro Farnese and a number of paintings in the National Gallery. There is a lot of Medieval religious art, which will not appeal to everyone. It is a pity that there is not a museum Cafe, where visitors can enjoy a drink and a snack.
Written 22 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Evi
Wassenaar, The Netherlands502 contributions
Definitely worth a visit
Sep 2019
This former palace houses several museums and although the building was being renovated during our visit, we were able to see the most part of its beautiful collection. There were unexpected gems to admire and we definitely recommend a visit!
Written 19 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
aa27
Lausanne, Switzerland545 contributions
Hosting important museums and famous Farnese Theatre
Feb 2020 • Couples
Best to go on Saturday morning, when also the Palatina Library and the Bodiano Museum (printing history) are accessible for free. The library, in particular, is quite impressive, with its high walls full of ancient books.
The Galleria Nazionale includes famous paintings mainly of authors born in the region, like Correggio.
The Teatro Farnese, all in wood finely decorated, frescos behind the higher stalls, is breathtaking.
Unfortunately the archaeological museum is currently closed.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Nataliia G
Moscow, Russia519 contributions
Главный городской музей - Палаццо Пилотта.
Dec 2019
In its current state, the Palazzo Pilota is a chaotic complex of buildings built at different times, never completed. The complex houses the national gallery, the Archaeological Museum, and the Palatine Library.
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
veciaf53
Reggio Emilia, Italy1,811 contributions
Monumental complex, worth seeing
Jan 2020
Unfinished complex built in the 16th century by the will of the Farnese family. Located in the historic center, with its monumental structure in ancient bricks, overlooks a large open space, redesigned in modern times by Mario Botta.

On the outside, a large basin-fountain which, in the plan, reproduces the outline of a church demolished in the Napoleonic era: trees were planted in place of the old columns.

After climbing the large entrance staircase, the visit begins in a gigantic hall in which the Farnese Theater was rebuilt (after the damage suffered in WW II) the route continues in a complex labyrinth of halls, rooms, passages and walkways on several levels.

The complex houses the National Gallery, the Palatine Library and the Bodonian Museum. The renovation work, designed by Guido Canali, covered the entire route, but the most interesting part is the large reticular structure made of scaffolding pipes, painted in white. This structure supports the gunmetal colored panels on which the exhibited works are hung.

The gallery displays works that were part of the Farnese collection: paintings by various authors: Antelami, Beato Angelico, El Greco, Guercino, Correggio, Tiepolo and Canaletto. The iconic works of the gallery are the Scapigliata (by Leonardo, actually lent to the Louvre Museum) and the Turkish Slave (by Parmigianino).

The statuary of the Farnese collection is instead largely housed in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
Entrance fee 10€, closing day on Monday.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom4,641 contributions
Great Place to Start A Parma Day Trip
May 2019
This is a really good starting point for a day trip to Parma. From the train station, it was about a 15 minute walk. Enter the historic city centre through this Palace and from here, it is very easy to walk between all of the main sights.
The palace contains the National Gallery, Palatina Library, Farnese Theatre and Archaeological Museum. We didn't have enough time on this trip to go into all of these. However it was still worthwhile to stop by the large fortress-like palazzo and spend 15 minutes or so walking under the colossal arches. It’s free to wander through here although an entry fee applies to the other parts.
The palazzo was built by the powerful ruling Farnese family in the 1500s. Alessandro Farnese (Pope Paul III) kick-started the dynasty when he made his illegitimate son, Pier Luigi, the first duke of Parma in 1545. They were definitely an ambitious family. Between them over several generations, they manoeuvred dynastic marriages and produced 7 dukes of Parma, a pope, a cardinal, a queen as well as statesmen and military commanders until the male line finally died out in 1731.
The palazzo was heavily damaged in WWII Allied bombing raids but has been largely rebuilt. You can still see the scars from the war-time battering.
The surrounding grounds were a bit scruffy but they seemed to be working on a terraced area when we were there in May. This looked like it would be a nice addition and a lovely green space when finished.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
WhapoFishShack
South Lake Tahoe, CA118 contributions
Don't miss!
Oct 2019
Must do in Parma! Teatro Farnese is remarkable for Theatre lovers. You get a real feel for a Castle/Fortress.
Written 11 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Brian M
Oxford, UK558 contributions
A monumental building
Aug 2019
This building reminded me of the brutalist architecture that was the vogue two and half centuries later. It is a very large building that also houses the copy of the Teatro Farnese, the National Gallery and a library.
Written 9 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
klive1961
Sheffield, UK173 contributions
Well worth a visit -
Nov 2019
The Museum at Palazzo della Pilot houses a very fine collection of early Roman artefacts along with some stunning Egyptian pieces. Free entry on Sundays?
Written 6 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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