CREMONA

ITALY: LAND OF HISTORY, ART & CULTURE, FOOD & WINE

The hidden treasures and excellences of the most beautiful country in the world

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Natural beauties and  art masterpieces

“IL TORRAZZO E IL MUSEO VERTICALE”

Right next to the Cathedral, on the Piazza del Comune, the Torrazzo, the famous 112 meter high bell tower, stands majestically. Its current appearance is the result of the superposition of two structures: a first Romanesque tower from 1267 and a second cusp tower with an octagonal plan. It was probably completed in 1305, while the ball and cross seen placed on top of it date back to the 17th century.

The astronomical clock in the tower, capable of indicating the movement of the stars and the phases of the moon, was installed in 1583. The mechanism is still the original one, while the current dial was repainted in 1970. Seven bells, each dedicated to a saint and one in particular dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Sant'Omobono.

At the end of 2018, the Torrazzo Vertical Museum was inaugurated which allows visitors to admire all the internal rooms of the large tower, in a fascinating journey linked to the measurement of time. In the Quadrant Room and in the Mechanism Room it is possible to admire all the characteristics of the clock's functioning, in the Time Measurement Room the history of the human perception of time is illustrated through the reconstruction of ancient measuring instruments, various types of clocks and interesting multimedia contents, the Astronomy Room is dedicated to the study of celestial bodies. Inside, thanks to the particular construction characteristics of the Torrazzo, there is a fantastic installation of Foucault's Pendulum. Its oscillation is the scientific demonstration of the Earth's rotation.

From the highest part of Torrazzo the view will leave you breathless: the stupendous view of the city and the river is definitely worth the climb.

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Typical dishes and products

“IL SALAME CREMONESE IGP”

Produced according to strict regulations - which provides for the exclusive use of pigs raised in Italy, precisely in the areas of origin of Parma Ham and San Daniele Ham - SALAME CREMONA PGI is the result of the processing of selected fresh meats flavored with salt and crushed garlic, stuffed into pig, bovine, sheep or horse casings.

Once bagged, the salami is left to mature in a humid and poorly ventilated environment for a variable period - between a minimum of 5 weeks for the small size up to over 4 months for the large size - maintaining the characteristic softness and doughiness that make it unique in the market. its kind.

Physical characteristics

    ✅ soft to the cut, even after long maturation
    ✅ cylindrical shape with light irregular features
    ✅ compact and homogeneous slices
    ✅ intense red color that gradually fades to the white of the fatty parts

Tasting characteristics

Thanks to the perfect integration of the ingredients, ground and mixed together, SALAME CREMONA PGI is aromatic and spicy on the palate, with a strong aroma. A unique and unmistakable product, which represents the best synthesis between the culture and nature of the territory of origin.

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Unique curiosities and excellences

LA CITTA’ DEL VIOLINO E DI STRADIVARI

The image of Cremona has always been linked to the musical and violin-making tradition: here the fundamental canons of melodrama and madrigal were born and developed with Claudio Monteverdi in the second half of the sixteenth century, while in the nineteenth century opera found its champion in Amilcare Ponchielli.

From the 16th to the 18th century, excellent artistic craftsmanship found its home in this city with the Amati, Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesù families who created the largest production of stringed instruments of all time and who are known throughout the world as famous luthiers Cremonese. A model for luthiers all over the world.

The tradition of luthier know-how was recently recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

The Violin Museum or the Stradivari Museum and the Auditorium: located in the heart of Cremona, the Antonio Stradivari Violin Museum is a new museum center aimed at celebrating bowed string instruments and the tradition of Cremonese violin making. Inaugurated at the end of 2013, it offers innovative multimedia and educational paths, telling the story of the violin, the construction systems and the events of the families of Cremonese luthiers in the various rooms and displaying masterpieces from the collections linked to Stradivari and other artists of the time.
Next to the Violin Museum, the splendid Giovanni Arvedi Auditorium hosts musical events and concerts in every season, as well as auditions – every Saturday and Sunday – with historical instruments, such as Stradivarius violins