Cremona is a beautiful city situated in Southern Lombardy, a very important historical and cultural center with an extraordinary monumental heritage with highlights of its brilliant and sparkling medieval beauty.
Located on a bank of the Po river with important, ancient origins when since the time of the Cenomani Gauls and then with the advent of the Roman Empire.
Cremona has always been able to establish itself as an important settlement with considerable influences, continuing at the dawn even during the period in which it became a fief of the Lombard Kingdom and in later times becoming an industrial hub of importance in various sectors.
The city in the eyes of the visitor immediately appears as a beauty to be explored and discovered meter by meter and the charm of this city that has always been located among the artistic and monumental pearls confirms it without any shadow of a doubt.
This Lombard centre, very active in its cultural life, is bound by strong ties and long traditions in the food industry, confectionery with prominent products such as the exquisite Torrone the Nougat but also excellent cured meats and a prestigious mustard as well as manufacturing and violin making in the case of the last, home of the famous Stradivari luthiers known universally for the manufacture of elite violins.
The itinerary with a visit can be started in the beating heart of Cremona, which proudly lives its refined monumentality, that is, on the magnificent Piazza del Duomo, where an architectural complex stands out majestically to say the least.
A stop in front of the beautiful Cathedral erected in the thirteenth century is a must, a sublime work of the highest Lombard-medieval architectural school starting from the extraordinary façade covered in white Verona marble and red Carrara marble by the Maestri Campionesi with a classic, large central rose window overlooking a very delineated and elegant portico with loggia and imposing side towers.
In the execution there were works of embellishment and complement carried out later by the architects Alberto Maffiolo and Lorenzo de Trotti who completed an already superlative complex on an artistic level.
Inside you can admire magnificent frescoes in the central nave, masterpieces made by masters of Mannerism who were very active in Emilia and in the South of Lombardy that depicted cycles of the life of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ, valuable works that earned the major ecclesiastical seat of Cremona the nickname of "Sistine Chapel of the Po Valley".
You can continue with the adjacent Baptistery dedicated to St. John the Baptist built in the twelfth century in an excellent Romanesque-Gothic style on an octagonal plan with a height of 34.0 meters and a diameter of 20.50 meters.
This religious place houses works of art of immense value such as baroque altars decorated with frescoes, wonderful paintings, superlative marble masterpieces made by Lorenzo de Trotti and Giacomo Bertesi as well as important wooden statues depicting St. John the Baptist and St. Philip Neri.
The next stop will be the beautiful Loggia dei Militi , another symbol of the city, a building dating back to 1212 in which stands out a large, refined portico containing the iconic sculpture depicting "the Two Hercules" with the coat of arms of Cremona.
This monument was erected in honour of the epic Hellenic hero Hercules, who according to legend is credited with the foundation of the city.
Afterwards there is a great opportunity to climb the emblematic "Torrazzo", a majestic tower that boasts an extraordinary astronomical clock with a diameter of 8.20 meters.
Extremely relevant is the concert of seven tuned bells elaborated in the eighteenth century and which represents separately an emblem of Cremona, one of the tallest masonry bell constructions in Europe reaching a height of 110.0 meters.
Walking 502 steps, once you reach the top, the effort will not be in vain, you will enjoy magnificent views of the entire city and much of the Lombardy-Emilian plain.
Continuing the visit along Via Solferino, a historic urban axis containing on its course the historic "Roman Basolata" and famous for being the heart of the glorious Cremonese violin making activities, famous throughout the world by legendary families such as Amati, Guarneri del Gesù and above all Stradivari.
It is therefore an opportunity to visit one of the craft shops specialized in the manufacture of beautiful classical violins but also cellos, violas and basses of universal fame.
Time for lunch of the day, Cremona offers a very relevant gastronomic panorama, to enjoy some traditional delicacies very recommended to start a mixed appetizer based on Garlic Salami, Cremona Mortadella and Cooked Ham.
As first courses to choose from, always remaining in the traditional, option between Marubini in Chicken and Beef Broth or the typical Rice and Pumpkin.
Among the second courses you can choose between the very traditional Boiled with Mustard or the equally famous Cotechino with Baked Vegetables, excellent wines on the list, dessert and coffee included.
After lunch, a very pleasant walk in the center and recommended to visit some shops – laboratories of typical Cremona products such as the famous Fruit Mustard, the sweet Jams or the very popular Provolone DOP, a cheese of excellent quality.
Of course, don't miss one of the local emblems, the iconic Torrone Nougat, which has its origins dating back to the very remote 25th of October 1541.
This specific date is linked to the wedding of Duke Francesco Sforza and Bianca Maria Visconti in which a sumptuous banquet was served that had over 6000 guests with Cremonese Nougat served at the tables for all present.
Visiting Cremona is definitely a great day of tourism, you will be cheered by the beauty of this city that has a great charm and you will certainly remember it with immense pleasure.
Link : https://www.comune.cremona.it/
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