Parma, Province
1695. Thesaurus geographicus a new body of geography by Abel Swall and Tim. Child.
The PARMERAN, or Country of PARMA, which the Italians commonly call Il Parmegiano, or Lo Stato del Duca di Parma, lies between the Territories of Milan on the North and West side; those of Modena on the East; and those of the Republick of Genoa on the South: It is in Length, from East to West, about 65 Miles; in Breadth, from North to South, about 45, being somewhat of an Oval shape. This Region, besides the Dutchy of Parma, comprehends that of Placentia, and the Countries of Boseto and Vel di Taro, together with the Dutchies of Castro and Bonerglione; which two last are at present possess'd by the Pope. Divers Revolutions have happen'd in the State of Parma, since the declining of the Roman Empire, until at length it was incorporated into the Ecclesiastical, or Patrimony of St. Peter. Pope Paul III. before named Alexander Farnese, created his Son Pedro Luigi Farnese, Duke of Parma, A. D. 1545; who was slain within two Years after by the Pallavicins, and some others, at the Solicitation of Charles V. Octavio Farnese, the Son of the former, was in like manner molested, and obliged to sue for the Protection of the French: But at last his Title was establish'd by his Marriage with Margaret the Natural Daughter of the same Emperor. This Sovereign Prince is a Vassal of the See of Rome, and pays thereto the Summ of 10000 Crowns, as an Ackowledgment of Homage. His Revenues (according to Lassels) is said to be 600000 Crowns Yearly; others say 400000, which is most probable: And he can raise in his Territories about 28000 Men upon case of necessity, but generally keeps 5000 in pay.
The most considerable Cities and Towns of his Dominions are these: Viz.
PARMA, Bish. Cap. D. Placentia, Bish. D. Borgo S. Donino, Bish. ...B. Val di Taro. ...Chiesi di Taro. ...Zavatarella. ...Bosseto. ...Bossana. ...Fiorenzuola. ...Corigliano. ...Colornoro. ...S. Secondo. ...Soragno. ...S. Stephano. Masso, Dutchy. Carrara, Princ. Malespino, Marq. Fordiniovo, Marq. ...Filaterra. ...Gragnuola.
PARMA; Parma is situated on the River of the same Name, which divides the Town into two Parts, joined together by as many Bridges; being distant 26 Miles South-east of Cremona, 34 South-west of Mantua, as many almost West of Modena, 72 almost South-east of Milan, 86 North-west of Florence, 220 the same of Rome, 17 from the Bridge of Ensa, and 35 from Placentia. This City may be seen afar off, through a large and strait Road leading thither, from whence one may take a fair Prospect of the highest Steeples: The Avenues are very pleasant, as also the Town it self. On one of the Gates are plac'd the Arms of Pope Paul III. who created Lewis, his Natural Son, Duke of Parma and Placentia. The City of Parma hath been long since dignify'd with an Episcopal See, heretofore subject to the Metropolitan of Ravenna, and at present to that of Bononia; together with an University, founded A. D. 1599; and an Academy of ingenious Persons, call'd Gl' Innominati. It is also the usual Place of Residence of the Duke; and his Courts of Justice are kept therein. The most remarkable Things in Parma, which is extended for the space of three Miles in compass, are the Ducal Palace, although it is not very considerable; but a new one is a building, which will be much more large and regular: the Gardens, the Cathedral-Church, and the Citadel, built according to the Model of that of Antwerp, being flank'd with 5 Bastions, and defended with a great number of Cannons, 50 of which are planted on two Galleries; besides 8 distinct Apartments for the Soldiers, and Military Ammunition and Arms for 6000 Men. The Moats on both sides are dry, although a Channel runs through the midst of them, in form of a little Trench, filled with Water; and all the other Works are rais'd according to the exact method of Regular Fortifications. The Dome of the Cathedral is painted by the famous Coregio, a Native of Parma, as well as the Church of St. John, in one of the Chapels whereof are to be seen two Paintings drawn by the same curious Hand, that cannot be sufficiently valued, viz. a Picture of Jesus Christ taken down from the Cross, and another representing the Martyrdom of two Saints.
The Grand Theatre is a rare Piece of Architecture, the like not being found either in Venice or Paris. It is of an extraordinary largeness; nevertheless, one may be heard every where, though speaking never so low. Instead of distinct Boxes, there are Benches rais'd like an Amphitheatre round about the level Ground-plat, which is much larger than the usual Dimensions, and may be fill'd with Water to the heighth of above three Foot; so that many gilded Gondolo's or Barges are sometimes launch'd into this little Lake, which affords a very delectable Sight to the Spectators.
Besides the ordinary Schools of the University, there is a fair and spacious Building, commonly call'd the College of the Nobles, wherein Students of all Nations may be admitted, in case they are capable of the Discipline of the Knights of Malta. For here are to be learn'd all sorts of Exercises, as well as Sciences; so that the Salaries are different, according to the several Arts whereto the Scholars have a mind to apply their Study. These Students sit together at Table in the Refectory, and their number at present amounts to Two hundred and thirty.
Many Illustrious Families reside in the City, which contains within its Walls above 30000 Souls, and is of very great Antiquity; for since the declining of the Roman Empire, it hath been possess'd by divers Lords: but the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa was constrain'd to retreat from before it, after a Siege of two whole Years. Moreover, it may not be amiss to observe, that the Bodies of Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, one of the most renowned Generals of his Time; and that of Mary of Portugal, his Wife, are interr'd in the Church of the Capucins.
The Soil of the adjacent Territory is extremely fertile, bringing forth abundance of all sorts of Fruits, more-especially Grapes and Olives, of which are made excellent Wines and Oils; besides great quantities of Cheese, very much esteem'd throughout all the Countries of Europe.
Placentia, Ital. Piacenza, is seated in a fruitful Plain, and enjoys the Title of a Dutchy, and of an Episcopal See under the Metropolitan of Bononia, being distant only 5 or 6000 Paces from the River Po, 14 Miles South-west of Cremona, 34 nigh West of Parma, 22 South of Crema, 38 South-east of Milan, and 20 from Cremona. Perhaps it might take its Name from the Pleasantness of its Situation, or the Beauty of its Churches, publick Buildings, Market-places, Streets and Fountains. Indeed, it is a very fair City, larger than Parma, though not very populous; the Houses being low, and for the most part built of Brick. The High-Street, call'd Le Stradone, is extended in a strait Line, and the Breadth of it all along equal: on each side there is a row of 300 Posts that maintain the Foot-passage near the Houses, after the same manner as at London, and these Posts are fix'd exactly ten Foot one from another. The Statue of Alexander Farnese, Governor of the Spanish Netherlands; and that of Ranucius I. his Son, are erected in the largest publick Place. There are some Paintings of Annibal Carache in the Cathedral; and one of the Virgin Mary, drawn by Raphael Angelo, in the Church dedicated to St. Sixtus. Placentia is a very ancient City, and hath been heretofore a Colony of the Romans. It was burnt and pillag'd by the Carthaginians, under the Conduct of their General Hamilcar (as Livy informs us,) and afterward became famous for the long Siege laid thereto by Totila, King of the Goths. But at present, the Dukes of Parma, descended of the Family of Farnese, retain it in their Possession, and have caus'd it to be very well fortify'd with large Ditches, Ramparts lined with Brick, and divers other Out-works; besides a regular Citadel flank'd with Bastions, and an old Castle. The Hall of Justice stands in a fair open Court; and the Duke's Palace hath 4 rows of Apartments, every one of which is six Story high. This City is likewise adorn'd with an University, and contains within its several Precincts almost 30000 Inhabitants, of whom 2000 are Monks, Nuns, and other Religious Persons. Among the Noble Families, those of the Scotti, Landi and Auguscioli are chiefly conspicuous. Perhaps it may not be amiss to observe, That the Coins, Weights and Measures at Placentia are different from those of Parma; and that many of the Gentry hereabouts use Coaches drawn with a couple of Oxen, instead of Horses. The Cheeses of Placentia are much admir'd, as well as the Parmizan, and some of them exceed 200 Pound weight. The Pomerium, or Territory round about it, is bounded with Ports, and no Building allow'd to be erected there: which Custom is also observ'd at Ligorne.
Borgo San-Donino, Fidentia, or Julia, or Burgus St. Donini, is a small dismantl'd City on the Frontiers of the State of Busseto, and the Dutchy of Placentia, from whence it is distant 18 Miles, and 15 from Parma to the West. Its Episcopal See, which had for a long time been interrupted, was restor'd by Pope Clement VIII. A. D. 1601.