Palazzo della Pilotta

The Palazzo della Pilotta is a complex of edifices in the historical centre of Parma, in northern Italy. Its name derives from the game of pelota.

History
Built around 1583, during the last years of reign of Duke Ottavio Farnese, it developed around the corridor (Corridore) which connected the keep (Rocchetta, traces of which can be seen next the river Parma) to the Ducal Palace: the latter, begun in 1622 under Duke Ranuccio I, was never completed. the façade on the Piazza della Ghiaia is missing and the annexed Dominican church of St. Peter was demolished only in recent times.

The existing complex includes three courts: the Cortile di San Pietro Martire (now best known as Cortile della Pilotta), Cortile del Guazzatoio (originally della pelota) and the Cortile della Racchetta. The Pilotta was to house a large hall, later turned into the Teatro Farnese, the stables and the grooms' residences, the Academy Hall and other rooms.

After the end of the Farnese family the edifice was sacked starting with Duke Charles I, who moved all the Farnese assets to Naples.

Present
Presently the edifice includes:
 * National Archaeological Museum
 * Scuola d'arte Toschi
 * Palatine Library
 * Museo Bodoniano (en:Bodoni Museum)
 * Teatro Farnese
 * Galleria Nazionale di Parma