Example of the Renaissance in Parma, with a central Greek cross plan of the Bramante type, the Basilica Santa Maria della Steccata was erected by Bernardino and Giovanni Francesco Zaccagni on an unknown project between 1521 and 1539.
Towards the end of the 14th century, a painting of a nursing Madonna was made on the facade of the oratory, which soon became the object of particular devotion on the part of the Parmesans; from the fact that the area of the building was protected by a "fence", built precisely to regulate the influx of numerous pilgrims, that Virgin began to be invoked with the title of Madonna della Steccata. To better preserve the precious image, in 1521 the congregates decided to erect the great sanctuary that we admire today.
The ornaments and the large balustrade that revolves around the arms of the cross, are the work of Mauro Oddi and can be dated around the end of the seventeenth century while the interior is due to several masters of the Parma Renaissance. In the arch that overlooks the main altar, you can still see the latest exalting work by Parmigianino, The wise virgins and the foolish virgins. Parmigianino also has the two organ doors on either side of the entrance while Michelangelo Anselmi is the Coronation, from 1540. The dome is due to Bernardino Gatti (1560). Important are the tomb sculptures and the Sacristy Noble (1665) by G. B. Mascheroni and Carlo Rottini.
The church gives access to the treasure of art and history of the Chivalric Order of the Emperor Constantine preserved in the Constantinian Museum.