Piazza Garibaldi, Parma

Square in Parma

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Alice90

At the very centre of Parma, Piazza Garibaldi is the city's true living room. Laid out over the site of the ancient Roman Forum, it has been the stage for civic life since antiquity, evolving from a medieval marketplace into today's elegant square ringed by historic palaces, church façades and busy café terraces. This is where locals meet friends, where demonstrations are held, where festivals spill out onto the pavements - and where visitors quickly understand why the square is one of the best places to visit in Parma.

Historically known as Piazza del Comune or Piazza Grande, the square has long been the hub for civic affairs, religious ceremonies and commercial activity. Around its edges you will find the Palazzo del Governatore with its clock tower, the Palazzo Vecchio (Palazzo del Comune) with frescoed rooms and loggia, and the Church of San Pietro with its Neoclassical and Baroque mix. Beneath your feet lies the memory of the Roman Forum, and in the surrounding streets you are never far from the remains of Roman bridges, theatres and amphitheatres that once framed this same urban core. Today, with outdoor cafés and a vibrant shopping district radiating from its corners, Piazza Garibaldi is a great place to visit on a walking tour of Parma and a natural base for exploring the rest of the city.

History and Significance of Piazza Garibaldi
Things to See and Do in Piazza Garibaldi
How to Get to Piazza Garibaldi
Practical Tips on Visiting Piazza Garibaldi
Where to Stay close to Piazza Garibaldi
Is the Piazza Garibaldi Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Piazza Garibaldi
Nearby Attractions to the Piazza Garibaldi

History and Significance of Piazza Garibaldi

Piazza Garibaldi's story begins in Roman times, when this space formed the Forum at the centre of the settlement. Here, civic, commercial and religious life converged, and although little of that ancient world stands at street level today, echoes remain in the nearby Roman bridge to the west, with its visible arches, and in the traces of the Roman theatre and amphitheatre to the south. As Parma transitioned into the medieval period, the old forum space continued to act as the city's main open arena, slowly taking on the form of a piazza framed by guild halls, civic buildings and churches.

In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the square was known as Piazza del Comune or Piazza Grande and became the stage for political decisions, public announcements and religious events. The Palazzo del Governatore, built in 1282 as the Palazzo dei Mercanti for the merchants’ guild, and the Palazzo Vecchio (Palazzo del Comune), dating to 1221 with its loggia and richly frescoed chambers, speak to that long history of civic administration. The tower added to the Palazzo del Comune in 1470, equipped with an astronomical clock, symbolised the city’s control over time, trade and public order.

Over the centuries, the square was fortified - in the 1300s it was enclosed with battlements and gates that could be shut at night - and lined with artisan workshops, markets and shops. In the 19th century, it was reshaped again, acquiring much of the appearance it has today, and later renamed in honour of Giuseppe Garibaldi, the hero of Italian unification. Through all these transformations, Piazza Garibaldi has remained Parma's beating heart: the place where everyday life plays out against a backdrop of layered history.

Things to See and Do in Piazza Garibaldi

Begin by standing at the centre of the square and slowly turning in a full circle. You will see how centuries of architecture overlap: the harmonious lines of the Palazzo del Governatore, the older Palazzo Vecchio with its loggia and tower, and the Church of San Pietro with its Neoclassical façade accented by Baroque decoration. The astronomical clock on the Palazzo del Comune tower is a visual anchor, reminding you that this square has long regulated the rhythm of the city’s days.

Step closer to the Palazzo del Governatore and Palazzo Vecchio to appreciate their details: arches, stonework and, where accessible, the frescoed interiors that once served as the backdrop for council meetings and guild decisions. Then turn your attention to the Church of San Pietro, whose origins go back to 980 but was rebuilt and transformed during the 1600s into the structure you see now. Inside, look for stuccoes, paintings and frescoes by Parma masters, which connect the church directly to the artistic traditions you encounter elsewhere in the city.

Of course, Piazza Garibaldi is not just an open-air museum. Take a seat at one of the outdoor cafés, order a coffee, aperitivo or gelato, and simply watch the square at work: locals chatting, shoppers passing through, street events and market stalls appearing at different times of year. The streets radiating from the square form one of Parma's main shopping areas, with a mix of independent boutiques and familiar brands, so you can easily alternate between sightseeing and browsing. As daylight fades and the buildings light up, the piazza takes on a softer, more intimate atmosphere that's perfect for an evening stroll.

How to Get to Piazza Garibaldi

Piazza Garibaldi is located right in the centre of Parma, so once you are in the city it is very straightforward to reach. Parma has a small local airport and is also well connected to larger hubs such as Bologna and Milan, from which you can continue to the city by regional train, coach or hire car. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Parma on Booking.com. From arrival points within Parma, local buses and taxis can drop you near the historic centre, from where it is only a short walk to the square.

If you are travelling by train within Italy, Parma lies on main rail routes linking cities such as Milan, Bologna and Florence.Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy. From the railway station, you can walk into the centre in about 15-20 minutes along flat, well-signposted streets, or take a local bus directly towards the centro and then stroll the last few minutes to Piazza Garibaldi.

Arriving by car, follow the main roads towards Parma and then signs for the centro storico, bearing in mind that many central streets have limited access or ZTL restrictions.If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. The best approach is to park in a public car park on the edge of the historic area and walk into the centre; from most car parks, clear signage and any basic city map will lead you easily to Piazza Garibaldi.

Practical Tips on Visiting Piazza Garibaldi

Suggested tips: Use Piazza Garibaldi as your orientation point in Parma; start your day here, then radiate out to the cathedral, baptistery, Pilotta Palace and Ducal Park before circling back in the evening.
Best time to visit: Late morning and early evening are particularly atmospheric, with busy cafés, soft light on the façades and a pleasant buzz without the heat of midday in summer.
Entrance fee: Free – Piazza Garibaldi is a public square open to all.
Opening hours: Accessible at all hours, though shops, churches and offices around the square follow their own daily schedules.
How long to spend: Plan at least 30-60 minutes to explore the square, step into San Pietro, and enjoy a drink at a café; you will likely pass through several more times as you explore the city.
Accessibility: The piazza is flat and largely pedestrianised, making it easy to navigate for wheelchairs, strollers and visitors with reduced mobility.
Facilities: Numerous cafés, restaurants and shops line the square and adjacent streets, and public facilities or customer toilets are available in many venues.
Photography tip: Capture wide shots from each corner of the square to show the palaces and church together, and try evening or blue-hour photos when the façades are lit and the sky still holds some colour.
Guided tours: Many city walking tours either start or pass through Piazza Garibaldi, using it as a natural hub for explaining Parma's history and layout.
Nearby food options: Take advantage of the surrounding streets to sample Parma’s specialties - from prosciutto and Parmigiano Reggiano plates to fresh pasta and local wines - all within a few minutes’ walk.

Where to Stay close to Piazza Garibaldi

If you want to be in the middle of everything, staying close to Piazza Garibaldi is ideal. A historic option within walking distance of the square, as well as the cathedral and baptistery, is Palazzo Dalla Rosa Prati, which places you right on Piazza Duomo and just a short stroll from the piazza’s cafés and shops. For modern comfort with easy access to both the centre and the riverfront, Grand Hotel de la Ville Parma offers contemporary rooms and a pleasant walk into Piazza Garibaldi. If you prefer a smaller, characterful base on traditional streets, Hotel Button puts you an easy walk from the square, Pilotta Palace and many of Parma's best bars and restaurants.

Is the Piazza Garibaldi Worth Visiting?

Piazza Garibaldi is unquestionably worth visiting, whether you are in Parma for a single afternoon or several days. As the historic and modern heart of the city, it brings together layers of history - from the Roman Forum beneath your feet to medieval guild halls and Baroque churches - in a single coherent space. At the same time, it feels very much alive: people meet under the clock tower, markets and events take place, and the surrounding streets form one of the city's main shopping and dining zones. Even if you are primarily in Parma for its churches and museums, you will find yourself returning to Piazza Garibaldi again and again.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi is a public plaza marked by a large statue of the general and ringed by historic buildings, offering an open urban space in the heart of Parma at Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, 43121 Parma PR, Italy.

FAQs for Visiting Piazza Garibaldi

Both: staying nearby puts you at the centre of Parma’s life, while even a short visit lets you enjoy its architecture, cafés and atmosphere between other sights.

Yes, while the forum itself lies buried, nearby you can find remains such as the Roman bridge to the west and traces of the Roman theatre and amphitheatre to the south.

Evenings are one of the best times to come, with terraces filling up, locals strolling and the buildings around the square softly illuminated.

Nearby Attractions to the Piazza Garibaldi

Cattedrale di Parma: The city's Romanesque cathedral with Correggio's Assumption of the Virgin in the dome, a short walk away on Piazza Duomo.
Baptistery of Parma: Pink Verona marble baptistery beside the cathedral, renowned for its medieval sculpture and richly decorated interior.
Pilotta Palace: Monumental complex housing the National Gallery, Farnese Theatre, Archaeological Museum and Bodoni Museum, close to the river.
Regio Theatre: Neoclassical opera house famous for Verdi performances and an elegant white and gold auditorium, reachable in a few minutes on foot.
Ducal Park: Historic park across the river with tree-lined avenues, palaces, a lake and plenty of space for walking, running or relaxing after time in the busy square.

The Piazza Garibaldi appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Parma!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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