San Giovanni Evangelista Parma

Tucked behind the Cathedral is another fantastic chucrh - San Giovanni Evangelista, the Church of Saint John the Evangelist. This church is part of a complex that includes a Benedictine convent and the San Giovanni Old Pharmacy. Originally a 10th century abbey and church, the current church was rebuilt from around 1498 to 1510.

Similar to the Cathedral (it still amazes me how many churches these small towns have so close together), it is made of the same pink marble and features several highly detailed sculputres and a bell tower that stands 73 metres high.

Its interior is elaborate, ornate and a bit more subdued with more golds and darker hues than the softer colours featured in the Cathedral. Many religious artworks by the renowned artist Correggio are on display. Yet another example of how incredibly talented the people of this era were, to be able to create and decorate such amazing structures.Read more