The Palazzo della Pilotta is in the historic center of Parma, in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Construction began around 1583, late in the reign of Duke Ottavio Farnese. Its name comes from pelota, a game played by Spanish soldiers stationed in Parma.
The complex has three courts: the Cortile di San Pietro Martire, the Cortile del Guazzatoio and the Cortile della Racchetta. It holds the Teatro Farnese, the Biblioteca Palatina, which was established there by 1769, the National Archaeological Museum, the Museo Bodoniano and the Galleria Nazionale.
Aerial bombing in May 1944 nearly destroyed the theater and damaged parts of the palace. The Swiss architect Mario Botta redeveloped the Piazzale della Pace from 1986 to 2001.
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