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Comune in Lombardy, Italy
Photo: User:Gryffindor, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Cremona is a city in Southern Lombardy in the Po valley of Italy, with a population of 71,000 in 2021. It has a wonderful preserved medieval centre, with the cathedral and town hall ranged around the main piazza. In the 17th century it became famous for its violins, especially those made by Stradivarius. It was also the birthplace of the composer Claudio Monteverdi, best known for his opera L'Orfeo.
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Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta
Grand cathedral begun in 1107: the main facade (circa 1300) is Romanesque. The interior is richly decorated with frescoes and major works of art. The octagonal Baptistry was added in 1167. The composer Monteverdi (1567-1643) was probably a choir-boy here; he was born in Cremona but made his name in Mantova and Venice.
This is the free-standing cathedral bell tower, a 112.5-m brickwork giant built 1230-1309 that defines the city landscape. The astronomical clock on the fourth storey, 8.2 m in diameter, was installed in 1588.
Wonderful exhibition of violins and their construction by Stradivarius, Amati, Guarneri and other masters. They have regular recitals.
Display of Roman and earlier findings, in a disused 14th-century church.
The main city museum, with rich artefacts and artwork. The historic violins have relocated to their own museum (above).
Farmhouse Museum
Restored farmhouse exhibiting Lombardy country life.
Good central osteria for Lombard food.
Plain exterior but great Lombard cuisine within.
Simple central hotel.
Clean and friendly, the main drawback is street noise.
Pleasant central hotel, again the problem is street noise.
Stylish central place, limited parking.
Fast trains run every two hours from Milan Centrale to Cremona (70 min) and Mantova (another 50 min). Regional trains also trundle hourly from Milan, taking two hours either direct or changing at Treviglio.
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Parma (PR) · Regional · PMF
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