The collections of the National Gallery of Parma originate from the Ducal Academy of Fine Arts, established in 1752 by the Duke of Bourbon, Don Philip (1749-1765) in the Palace of Pilotta. The newly formed Academy, with its "paintings" and finds from excavations in Veleia, along with students' academic essays and paintings by winners of annual painting competitions formed the original basis of the ancient gallery. The creation of a true public museum institution, which occurred in the early parts of the nineteenth century by Marie Louise of Austria, Duchess of Parma and Piacenza from 1816 to 1847, coincided with a further extension and the final arrangement of the ducal collections, which are located in the historic rooms of the Academy. The visit to the Gallery occurs two distinct routes, which run from the Farnese Theatre, and include works by Benedetto Antelami, Agnolo Gaddi, Beato Angelico, Cima da Conegliano, Francesco Francia, Leonardo, Correggio, Parmigianino, Dosso Dossi, Holbein, El Greek, Annibale, Ludovico and Agostino Carracci, Schedoni, Guercino, Nuvolone, GMCrespi, Tiepolo, Piazzetta, Pittoni, Canaletto, Bellotto and Sebastiano Ricci.

Gallery itinerary B, in which are Rocchetta rooms, Correggio, Parmigianino, nineteenth-century rooms with Academy works and Maria Luigia's paintings, is open from Tuesday to Saturday till 19.00.