The Ducal Palace of Parma, currently the Carabinieri headquarters, was commissioned by Ottavio Farnese in 1561 and built to a design by Vignola. It was modified in the 1900s by Petitot who added four corner pavilions and changed some decoration and plasterwork.
The interiors feature 16th century frescoes by Jacopo Bertoja, a room frescoed by Agostino Carracci and stuccos by Luca Reti. An 18th century staircase leads to an unusually decorated room that features 224 birds – the bird room. The adjacent Alcina room contains the oldest frescoes in the palace, a cycle dated around 1568 and inspired by the 7th book of Orlando Furioso. The figures in the kiss room, frescoed by Bertoja around 1570, are inspired by the novel Orlando Innamorato by Boiardo. Other interiors include the small Erminia room and the room of love with a vault frescoed by Agostino Carracci in 1601 with scenes depicting allegories of love.
Emilia-Romagna Film Commission
Viale Aldo Moro 38 — 40127 Bologna
Phone: +39 051 5278753
Email: filmcom@regione.emilia-romagna.it
