The New Student's Reference Work/Parma

Par′ma, an Italian town, the former capital of the duchy of Parma, lies on the River Parma, 12½ miles from the Po, on the Emilian road. The town is still surrounded by walls and is guarded by a citadel. Of more than 60 churches the most noted are the cathedral, the baptistry, Madonna della Steccata and St. John the Evangelist. Other notable buildings are the ducal palaces, library, university, music-school and museum. The principal manufactures are pianos, silks, cast-iron goods, woolens, earthenware, paper and soap. A state university, founded in 1502, has its seat here, with 695 students. Population 49,340.