In entering the workshops of a violin-maker in Cremona you will be surrounded by the natural resins and wood fragrances. Here you can see first hand how violins, violas, cellos and double-basses for professional players have been made since the 16th century.

Several concerts take place every week at the Ponchielli Theatre and in churches and courtyards in honour of the famous Cremonese composers, such as Monteverdi. On weekdays a performance with one of the ancient instruments of the Civic Collection can be enjoyed inside the City Hall.

You can also enjoy unexpected views of many paintings and frescoes in Cremona! Starting with the cycle of Mary and Christ Passion inside the Cathedral, you can move on to the precious Caravaggio, Perugino and Campi brothers altar pieces, right up to the "
Tavola di Sant'Agata" dating back to the 13th Century.

Soncino lies between Cremona and Bergamo and it hosts an impressive Fortress built by the Sforza family, together with the rarest gentleness of the frescoes by Giulio Campi in Santa Maria delle Grazie church. Also admirable are many terracotta, wrought iron and printing-press pieces of art that decorate private houses and the Casa degli Stampatori (House of Printers).

20 km West lies the walled town of Pizzighettone. It is worthwhile to visit by boat in any season. It sits on the Adda river, docked near the Torre del Guado (Ford Tower), where the king of France Frances I was imprisoned in 1525. Several casematte (quarters) inside the 18th Century walls can still be visited, some hold temporary exhibitions.

Casalmaggiore is a town that sits between Cremona and Parma with its unique Bijou Museum. It can be reached by following the Po waterway and stopping to admire the timeless lonely churches of Scandolara Ravara and Vicobellignano.

Half a day is really too short a span of time to taste these Cremonese beauties! So we invite you to discover Cremona, visit its province and come back again … It will be a great pleasure for us to design the programme of your tour!