Things to do in Cremona

Discover the history of Cremona on a guided walking tour of the city center. Admire the city's main monuments, including the Cathedral, the octagonal Baptistery (external), the Torrazzo (external), the Town Hall (open from Mon. to Sat. and closed on sundays and festive days), and the Loggia dei Militi (external). The group tour starts at the Cremona Tourist Office. Begin your tour at the Cathedral, which adorns the majestic medieval square. Admire the octagonal Baptistery, the tallest brick bell tower in Europe, the Torrazzo, the Town Hall, and the Loggia dei Militi. Enter the Cathedral, known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Po Valley," and admire its beautiful 16th-century frescoes. Visit the interior of the Town Hall and its monumental rooms. Continue to the Roman road from the 1st century BC. Learn about the tradition of Cremonese lutherie, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Discover the rich tradition of violin making at the renowned Cremonese Violin Making School in the heart of Cremona. This fascinating tour offers an in-depth look into the meticulous craft of violin making, showcasing the skills and artistry that have made Cremona famous for its exceptional instruments. What to Expect: Historic Venue: Visit the academy located in a charming 19th-century building, reflecting the historical and cultural significance of Cremona's violin-making heritage. Craftsmanship: Gain insight into the intricate process of violin construction, from selecting the finest woods to applying traditional varnishes. Interactive Experience: Explore the work environments where students apply their skills under the guidance of master craftsmen. Tour Highlights: Introduction to Violin Making: Learn about the various stages in the creation of a violin, including the selection and preparation of wood, carving, assembly, and finishing. Discover the unique properties of the different types of wood used in violin making and their impact on the instrument's sound. Historical Context: Delve into the rich history of violin making in Cremona, a city renowned for producing some of the world’s finest instruments. Understand the evolution of techniques and the influence of historical figures in the craft. Varnishing Techniques: Explore the various varnishes used to enhance the appearance and acoustics of the violin. Learn about the traditional methods that give Cremonese violins their distinctive and coveted quality. Student Workshops: Visit the spaces where students practice and refine their craft. Observe the application of techniques and interact with students and instructors.

Discover the history of Cremona on a guided walking tour of the city center. Admire the city's main monuments, including the Cathedral, the octagonal Baptistery, the Torrazzo, the Town Hall, and the Loggia dei Militi. The group tour starts at the Cremona Tourist Office. Begin your tour at the Cathedral, which adorns the majestic medieval square. Admire the octagonal Baptistery (external), the tallest brick bell tower in Europe, the Torrazzo (external), the Town Hall, and the Loggia dei Militi. Enter the Cathedral, known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Po Valley," and admire its beautiful 16th-century frescoes. Visit the interior of the Town Hall and its monumental rooms. Continue to the Roman road from the 1st century BC. Learn about the tradition of Cremonese lutherie, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. READ BEFORE BOOKING IN NOVEMBER 2024 ON MONDAYS: on mondays in November 2024, the Town Hall is closed due to private events, so during the guided tour the group can not enter the building but the guide will explain it from outside. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

The guided tour of Cremona will take you to discover the historic center where there are its most important monuments. We start by visiting the Church of Sant 'Agostino in Lombard Gothic style which was remodeled in the 1500s and which contains the beautiful Altarpiece by Perugino and a series of marble statues. A few steps away we can admire the house where the most illustrious citizen of Cremona lived with his first wife in the 1600s, the famous luthier Antonio Stradivari, famous throughout the world for his violins and their unique sound; for this Cremona dedicated a statue to him in front of the house. Walking through the alleys of the historic center, we will visit the most beautiful square of the town, Piazza del Comune, where the most important and historical civil and religious buildings are concentrated, starting from the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with the beautiful facade in white Carrara marble and Verona red, a large rose window, a two-storey loggia and two lions at the base of the columns that amaze visitors; visiting the interior of the church we will notice the very high ceiling, the Great Cross from the altar in gold and silver and the rich series of precious frescoes that gave the church the nickname of the Sistine Chapel of the Po Valley. On one side of the Cathedral stands the Torrazzo, the highest bell tower in Europe with its 112 meters and built entirely of brick, which has become the symbol of Cremona with its large astronomical clock set and the golden sphere placed on the top where it is preserved a piece of the Cross of Jesus and other relics. The guided tour continues by visiting the Baptistery with an octagonal plan dating back to 1100 and the medieval Town Hall which has been used for over 800 years; we will visit the violin room, the Consulta room and the paintings room and from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Duomo and Torrazzo. Before leaving the square we pause on the Loggia dei Militi, one of the historic buildings of the town and head towards the places where the ancient pastry shops are located such as Sperlari and Vergari where the famous Cremonese nougat originates, in addition to the chocolate, jams and mustards typical of the area; among the alleys we also find the lutherie shops, there are about 150, where still today violins, stringed instruments and strings are made. We end the tour with an external visit to the Violin Museum where you can see Stradivarius violins and listen to reproductions of great concerts.

The Dimore Storiche Cremonesi project was created with the intention of promoting and enhancing the important architectural and historical-artistic heritage of the patrician mansions and ancient private residential villas in the city of Cremona and its territory. Overlooking centuries-old gardens and parks in the heart of the Cremonese countryside or enclosed within elegant architecture along the city's ancient districts, the prestigious mansions open to visitors with guided tours, events, cultural appointments and tourist and cultural experiences. Calendar 2025: full of openings and opportunities to visit palaces in the Cremona area such as Palazzo Calciati Crotti - Cremona, Via Palestro 1 Palazzo Cattaneo Ala Imperiali - Cremona, Via Oscasali 3 Palazzo Mina Bolzesi Academia Cremonensis - Cremona, Via Platina 66 Palazzo Fodri - Cremona, Corso G. Matteotti 17 Palazzo Stanga Rossi di San Secondo - Cremona, Corso Garibaldi 257 Villa Calciati Crotti - Persico Dosimo, Via S. Pietro 125 Cascina Farisengo - Bonemerse, Via Farisengo 2 Villa Sommi Picenardi - Torre de' Picenardi, Via IV Novembre 1 Villa Manna Roncadelli Vaghi - Grumone di Corte de' Frati, Via Leopardi Villa Bottini La limonaia - Robecco d'Oglio, Via Cairoli 23 Villa Fadigati La Bastia - Martignana di Po, Strada provinciale Asolana 343 Mina del Scala Castle - Casteldidone, Via Montale 6 Zurla de Poli Palace - Crema, Via Tadini 2 Palazzo Terni de' Gregorj - Crema, Via Dante Alighieri 20-22

Visit the luthier’s workshop and discover the charm of Cremonese violin making: the Cremonese classical method, inspired by the three master luthier’s models: Amati, Guarneri and Stradivari’s, will be revealed. Inside the workshops, you will discover the secrets of this ancient art, full of expertise and passion for the music and violin making tradition: the scent of natural paints, the woods exposed for the ten-year seasoning, the large and small tools of the craftsman (the gouges, the planes, the razors etc.), the designs and the "internal forms" peculiar to the Cremonese tradition. With the visit inside a luthier’s workshop the Welcome Card is included! The tourist card offers discounts in museums, restaurants and shops in Cremona and It lasts one year.

The guided tour of Cremona will take you to discover the historic center where there are its most important monuments. We start by visiting the Church of Sant 'Agostino in Lombard Gothic style which was remodeled in the 1500s and which contains the beautiful Altarpiece by Perugino and a series of marble statues. A few steps away we can admire the house where the most illustrious citizen of Cremona lived with his first wife in the 1600s, the famous luthier Antonio Stradivari, famous throughout the world for his violins and their unique sound; for this Cremona dedicated a statue to him in front of the house. Walking through the alleys of the historic center, we will visit the most beautiful square of the town, Piazza del Comune, where the most important and historical civil and religious buildings are concentrated, starting from the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with the beautiful facade in white Carrara marble and Verona red, a large rose window, a two-storey loggia and two lions at the base of the columns that amaze visitors; visiting the interior of the church we will notice the very high ceiling, the Great Cross from the altar in gold and silver and the rich series of precious frescoes that gave the church the nickname of the Sistine Chapel of the Po Valley. On one side of the Cathedral stands the Torrazzo, the highest bell tower in Europe with its 112 meters and built entirely of brick, which has become the symbol of Cremona with its large astronomical clock set and the golden sphere placed on the top where it is preserved a piece of the Cross of Jesus and other relics. The guided tour continues by visiting the Baptistery with an octagonal plan dating back to 1100 and the medieval Town Hall which has been used for over 800 years; we will visit the violin room, the Consulta room and the paintings room and from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Duomo and Torrazzo. Before leaving the square we pause on the Loggia dei Militi, one of the historic buildings of the town and head towards the places where the ancient pastry shops are located such as Sperlari and Vergari where the famous Cremonese nougat originates, in addition to the chocolate, jams and mustards typical of the area; among the alleys we also find the lutherie shops, there are about 150, where still today violins, stringed instruments and strings are made. We end the tour with an external visit to the Violin Museum where you can see Stradivarius violins and listen to reproductions of great concerts.