Palazzo della Pilotta, Parma

This building is in the heart of the historic center and is home to the Palatina library, the archeological museum, the national gallery, the Farnese theatre, the Institute of the History of Art of the University of Parma and the headquarters of the Parma and Piacenza galleries and the Toschi Art Institute. The building dates from 1583 and takes its name from the Basque game of Pelota, which was played in the courtyard. In the course of time, the fascinating building has undergone many changes and was partially rebuilt after the bombings of 1944.