Cremonese

<< Lombardy

The Province of Cremona is located in the middle of the Po Valley in southern Lombardy. This low-lying area houses many agricultural centers and a few historic cities such as Cremona and Crema. The term Cremonese is used to refer either to the entire of province or just to the area around Cremona. The territory around Crema is also called Cremasco.

Cremona

Cremona is a city in Lombardy, located near the Po river in the middle of the Po Valley. An important town under the Romans, it rose to prominence again in the Late Middle Ages after centuries of obscurity. Cremona was a free comune, and fought many wars against other regional powers, until it became part of the Duchy of Milan. Throughout the Renaissance and the Modern era, Cremona remained a relevant cultural center, a role that it keeps to this day. The city is known especially for its contributions to music and for the manufacture of violins.

✪ Cremona Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

The Cremona Cathedral (Duomo di Cremona) is a large church in the center of Cremona, and the most important religious site in the city. The cathedral was erected during the 12th century in Romanesque style and later expanded with the addition of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements. The elaborate facade of the church features a large rose window and numerous Romanesque decorations with some Renaissance additions. The interior of the cathedral houses various frescoes, sculptures, and other artworks, along with some funerary monuments. The church is flanked by the Torrazzo, the second-tallest bell tower in Italy, standing at a height of 112 meters. The tower was erected between the 13th and 14th century, and it features a large astronomical clock and a museum.

✪ Violin Museum

Cremona has been renowned for centuries for the production of musical instruments, especially violins. The Violin Museum (Museo del Violino) showcases the long history of traditional violin craftsmanship in Cremona, displaying various exhibits and a rich collection of ancient instruments. The museum also houses many tools used by Antonio Stradivari, who was born in Cremona and it is considered one of the greatest luthiers in history.

Cremona Baptistery

The Cremona Baptistery (Battistero di Cremona) is a medieval baptistery adjacent to the Cremona Cathedral. The large building has an octagonal plan and features Romanesque and Gothic decorations. The interior is simple and it hosts various statues and a 14th-century crucifix.

Palazzo del Comune

Palazzo del Comune is the medieval town hall of Cremona, which still houses the seat of the local municipality to this day. The palace, located in front of the Cremona Cathedral, was built in the 13th century and later expanded various times. Next to Palazzo del Comune is another 13th-century building, the Loggia dei Militi.

Ala Ponzone Civic Museum

The Ala Ponzone Civic Museum (Museo Civico Ala Ponzone) is an art museum hosted in a 16th-century palace in Cremona. The museum houses numerous paintings, including some by Caravaggio, along with various ancient furnishings and musical instruments.

Church of Sant’Agostino

The Church of Sant’Agostino is a Gothic church erected during the Late Middle Ages in Cremona. The church houses various decorations and artworks, including an altarpiece by Perugino painted in 1494.

Church of San Sigismondo

The Church of San Sigismondo is a Renaissance church at the outskirts of Cremona. While its facade is unassuming, the interiors of the church house a large cycle of 16th-century frescoes, considered a masterpiece of Mannerist art.

Crema

Crema is the second largest city in the Province of Cremona, located a few kilometers east of Lodi. The town emerged as a free comune in the Late Middle Ages. The city was later ruled by Milan and then by Venice from 1449 until 1797. The city then followed the history of the rest of Lombardy. Crema is now an agricultural center with various historic attractions.

✪ Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Croce

The Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Croce (Santuario di Santa Maria della Croce) is a Renaissance church located at the northern outskirts of Crema. Construction of the church started in 1490, after a Marian apparition, and was completed over the course of the following centuries, with various additions. The peculiar structure has a circular plan externally, but octagonal internally. The exterior is adorned with numerous arches and windows, while the interior houses a rich series of frescoes, paintings, and other artworks, dating between the 16th and 19th century.

Crema Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

The Crema Cathedral (Duomo di Crema) is a large church in the center of Crema. The church was erected in the Late Middle Ages in Romanesque and Gothic style, with a few later additions. The facade of the church features a series of elaborate decorations and the building is flanked by a medieval bell tower. The interiors house several artworks and ornaments, mostly of Baroque style.

Arco del Torrazzo

Arco del Torrazzo is a monumental Renaissance city gate located in front of the Crema Cathedral. Erected in the 16th century, it features various decorations and two statues, and it is among the most recognizable landmarks in Crema.

Civic Museum of Crema and Cremasco

The Civic Museum of Crema and Cremasco (Museo Civico di Crema e del Cremasco) is a museum housed in a former convent in Crema. The museum is dedicated to the city of Crema and the surrounding territory, and it features various fossils, archaeological findings, and exhibits on the history of the city. The museum also houses a section dedicated to the musical history of Crema, and a collection of paintings dating from the 16th century until today.

Castelleone

Castelleone is a town located between Crema and Cremona. The town emerged during the Middle Ages and it was ruled by various local powers. Now Castelleone features a few historic attractions.

Church of Santa Maria in Bressanoro

The Church of Santa Maria in Bressanoro is a Renaissance church located just north of Castelleone. Erected in the late 15th century, the church features various decorations, but it is best known for the rich series of elaborate Renaissance frescoes that adorn its interiors.

Soncino

Soncino is a town in the Province of Cremona, located east of Crema. The town was an important military center during the Late Middle Ages, thanks to its large fort.

Rocca Sforzesca of Soncino

The Rocca Sforzesca of Soncino is a 15th-century fortress in Soncino. The castle was among the most prominent fortifications in the area at the time, and now it is one the best preserved fortresses built during the rule of the Sforza family over the Duchy of Milan. The castle now houses an archaeological museum and sometimes it hosts temporary exhibitions and events.

Rivolta d’Adda

Rivolta d’Adda is a town located near the Adda river at the northern end of the Province of Cremona.

Prehistoric Park of Rivolta d’Adda

The Prehistoric Park (Parco della Preistoria) is a natural park located near the Adda river in Rivolta d’Adda. The park features various natural environments with various species of trees and plants. The main attraction of the park is a series of reconstructions of prehistoric creatures, ranging from the Silurian period until the Pleistocene, and including several dinosaurs and ancient humans.

San Giovanni in Croce

San Giovanni in Croce is a small town in the Province of Cremona, best known for its historic villa.

Villa Medici del Vascello

Villa Medici del Vascello is a palace originally erected as a fortification during the 15th century, but soon turned into a noble residence. This was the residence of Cecilia Gallerani, the woman depicted in the famous painting Lady with an Ermine (Dama con l’ermellino) by Leonardo da Vinci. The villa was inhabited until 1945, when it was abandoned. Now restored, it can be visited.

Casalmaggiore

Casalmaggiore is a town located along the Po river at the southern end of the Province of Cremona. Thanks to its strategic position, it was for centuries an important trade center, often contested between local powers.

Bijou Museum

The Bijou Museum (Museo del Bijou) is a museum in Casalmaggiore dedicated to jewelry. Its collection includes thousands of jewels and exhibits on the traditional production of costume jewelery in the city, which dates back to the 19th century.

Diotti Museum

The Diotti Museum (Museo Diotti) is an art museum in Casalmaggiore. The museum is hosted in a palace formerly owned by painter Giuseppe Diotti, who was born in Casalmaggiore, and it features a collection of paitings from the 19th and 20th century, mostly by local artists.