Cremona is a historic city known primarily for the production of violins and as the birth and life of Antonio Stradivari, the greatest violin maker in the history of the world. It also boasts a magnificent Romanesque cathedral, one of the most beautiful buildings of this period in Italy.
Due to its location, Cremona has been the object of competition between different countries for centuries. It was within the borders of the Roman Empire, the barbarian states built on its ruins, Spain, France, Austria, and finally found itself within the borders of the united Italy.
During the Middle Ages, the city was an important cultural and scientific center in this part of Italy, and in the 16th century one of the most famous violin making schools in the world developed. It was made of violin makers belonging to such families as Guarneri, Ruggeri and Amati, and above all the all-time violin maker - Stradivarius. Today, the violin from this school, including the most famous "stradivarius" made by the master, can be seen in the Violin Museum located in the Town Hall. A memento of the famous violin maker is also the Stradivarius House with a memorial plaque.
The biggest attraction of Cremona is the Romanesque Cathedral of Cremona, built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Its facade is covered with light marble and is decorated with a rosette, figures of saints and arcades. The interior is covered with 16th century frescoes. Next to the cathedral there is a 112-meter high belfry with an observation deck connected to it by a loggia. In the square next to the temple you can also see an octagonal, Romanesque baptistery .
The old town of Cremona hides many other valuable monuments, including numerous churches, including the Renaissance Church of San Sigismondo , palaces, loggias and picturesque historic townhouses.
