Galleria nazionale di Parma

About the museum

The Galleria Nazionale grew out of the ducal Academy of Fine Arts, founded in Parma in 1752 by Duke Philip of Bourbon. Much of the Farnese collections was transferred to Naples in 1734, but some works of great importance remained in Parma, such as El Greco’s Healing of the Blind Man and Sebastiano del Piombo’s Portrait of Paul III.

In the 18th century the collections of the Academy and the ducal ones were brought together in a new gallery; in 1765 the duke bought Correggio’s Madonna of Saint Jerome. In the 19th century Maria Luigia of Austria turned it into a public museum, with a display designed by Nicola Bettoli and Paolo Toschi. After Italian unification it became the Regia Galleria (1882), and in 1896 Corrado Ricci reorganised its route.

In the 20th century new acquisitions arrived, such as Dosso Dossi’s Saint Michael the Archangel and the Demon, and in 1928 Parmigianino’s Turkish Slave returned from Florence. The architect Guido Canali led a long restoration of the premises from 1967, completed in several phases between 1986 and 1991. Today the gallery is one of the institutions of the Complesso monumentale della Pilotta and is visited with the same ticket as the Teatro Farnese, the Archaeological Museum and the Museo Bodoniano.

Highlights

• Correggio’s Madonna of Saint Jerome (Il giorno)
• Parmigianino’s Schiava Turca (Turkish Slave)
• El Greco’s Healing of the Blind Man
• Sebastiano del Piombo’s Portrait of Paul III
• Dosso Dossi’s Saint Michael the Archangel and the Demon

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso permanente della Galleria Nazionale – The route includes, among other things, the Farnese Collection, Tuscan painters of the 13th and 15th centuries, Emilian painters of the 16th century, the Caravaggisti in Emilia and the myth of Correggio.

Founded

1760

Operated by

Ministero della Cultura – Complesso monumentale della Pilotta

Visitors per year

approx. 135,398

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month (Domenica al museo), 25 April, 2 June and 4 November; free admission for women on 8 March. On free days, tickets are not bought online.

A single ticket is valid for the Galleria Nazionale, the Teatro Farnese, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, the Biblioteca Palatina (excluding the services area) and the Museo Bodoniano. Purchase at the ticket office (9:00–18:00) or online; the online ticket is read by QR code at the entrance. Reduced or free tickets require a document proving entitlement. Free admission also for members of the Amici della Pilotta and for the categories provided for by the Ministero della Cultura.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Access to the Galleria Nazionale, the Teatro Farnese, the Archaeological Museum and the Biblioteca Palatina is by mobile ramps, lifts and stairlifts, with help from staff. For information: cm-pil.info@cultura.gov.it.

Kids & families

The Galleria does not publish a specific policy for children; admission is free for under-18s.

Getting there & parking

From the Parma exit of the A1 motorway, follow the direction for the centre. From the railway station the museum is about 10 minutes on foot, along viale Toschi or via Verdi. Coaches can stop for passengers to alight in viale Toschi.

Amenities & dining

• Lockers

Backpacks and large bags can be left free of charge in the lockers at the ticket office. Rest area with drink and snack vending machines at the Sala del Trionfo, behind the stage of the Teatro Farnese.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit