Parma yellow
Parma (PR)
Traditional colour of houses in town, the Parma yellow was actually obsessively dictated for house fronts by building firms at the end of the 50’s. As a result, yellow and all its shades is today the prevaling colour of houses in the historical centre.
Palaces built during the Farnese rule already showed a wide range of yellow ochre and clear reds, but it was Petitot who started to paint them golden yellow while restoring the most important buildings of Piazza Grande, now Garibaldi square, in the second half of 18th century.
According to legend, he was inspired by residents of Strada San Michele and Santa Lucia, who had painted their houses golden yellow like the tresses of Isabella of Bourbon, passing through their streets with her wedding procession.
