Ospedale Vecchio is one of Parma's more unusual historic buildings: a long former hospital whose arcaded facade hints at the city's Renaissance civic life. It is not as immediately famous as the cathedral or Teatro Farnese, but it adds a different layer to the old centre.
Today the building houses cultural institutions, including archives and libraries. Even if you only see the exterior, it is a worthwhile stop while walking between the river and Parma's central sights.