Church of Santa Maria della Steccata

The church was built in 1521 by Nicolo Urbani, Bishop of Lodi. The architects Bernardino and Zaccagni were engaged in the construction, then d'Agrata joined the work. The dome was built by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. Some theories claim that the temple was also built by Araldi and Correggio.

In 1392, on the site of the present temple there was a chapel with the image of St. John the Baptist, which belonged to the religious brotherhood of the Annunciation. At the end of the XIV century on the facade of the chapel was depicted Our Lady with a baby.

The building is divided into three tiers: roofs and altar part, dome, apses with corner chapels. The interior paintings are illuminated by a special arrangement of windows.

The interior of the church is decorated by the painters of Parma of the XVI century: a fresco above the altar “Wise and Unreasonable Virgins” by Parmigianino, “Coronation” by Michelangelo Anselami, “The Ascension of Mary” by Bernardino Gatti. Inside the temple are sculptures by Mascheroni and Carlo Rottini.

In 1823, a crypt was built in the church with burials of the Dukes of Parma and their families.