Reggia di Colorno

About the museum

The Reggia di Colorno stands on the remains of a medieval fortress built in 1337 by Azzo da Correggio. In the 16th century the Sanseverino family turned it into a palace; from 1612 it passed to the Farnese, dukes of Parma, and Ranuccio II entrusted its Baroque renewal between 1699 and 1708 to Ferdinando Galli da Bibbiena and Giuliano Mozzani, with a Grande Parco in the Italian and French style.

In 1731 Charles of Bourbon took the collections and furnishings to Naples. From 1749 Philip of Bourbon had the interiors redone in the Rococo style by Ennemond Alexandre Petitot, who also created the Sala Grande, using French craftsmen and a taste inspired by Versailles. Ferdinand of Bourbon had built the chapel of San Liborio, a Dominican convent, a library and an astronomical observatory. In 1807 Napoleon declared the palace “imperial” and began Neoclassical renovations; in 1816 Marie Louise of Austria redesigned the gardens in the English style.

After Italian unification, in 1870, the Province of Parma bought the palace, which was then used as a psychiatric hospital. In 1999 it took the name Reggia Ducale di Colorno, and from 2004 part of the building has housed the ALMA cookery school. The visit route includes the Piano Nobile, the apartment of Duke Ferdinand of Bourbon and the Ducal Chapel of San Liborio; the historic garden is open all year round.

Highlights

• Sala Grande designed by Petitot
• Apartment of Duke Ferdinand of Bourbon
• Ducal Chapel of San Liborio
• Historic garden with a botanical-historical audio guide
• Over 400 rooms

Permanent exhibitions

• Piano Nobile e Appartamento del Duca Ferdinando – Visit to the reception rooms, the apartment of Ferdinand of Bourbon and the Ducal Chapel of San Liborio.
• Giardino storico – Garden open all year, with a historical-botanical visit with audio guide.

Founded

1650

Operated by

Provincia di Parma

Visitors per year

approx. 22,000

Admission & discounts

The full ticket with audio guide costs €10 (reduced €9); with a guided tour €12 (reduced €11). Free admission also for one companion per group, two teachers per 15 pupils, journalists registered with their professional order, and ICOM and ICOMOS members with valid cards. The historic garden is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

There is a lift and facilities for people with disabilities. The apartment of Duke Ferdinand is not accessible to wheelchair users.

Kids & families

Family tickets are available; children aged 0 to 6 enter free.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Bookshop, cloakroom and lockers. Small animals are admitted in arms, on a leash or in a carrier; dog sitting is not offered.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit