Cremona welcomes visitors with an atmosphere full of nostalgia for the rich and free-spirited history of this Italian province, proud of its magnificent past. For five centuries, Cremona flourished as a city-state, allowing it to acquire the finest examples of medieval architecture.

Things to Do and See in Cremona
The entire city of Cremona revolves around the central Piazza del Comune, from which streets radiate, creating a picturesque picture of urban life, fast-paced yet relaxed. The cathedral and baptistery rise on the eastern side of the square, while the Palazzo Comunale and Loggia dei Militia stand on the western side.

The Cremona Cathedral, built in the Romanesque style in the 12th century, was later enriched with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements, becoming a true symbol of Lombard architecture.

Renowned frescoes by Renaissance masters such as Pordenone and Boccaccino, depicting scenes from the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary, lend the cathedral a special grandeur, earning it the nickname “the Sistine Chapel of Northern Italy.”

The cathedral also boasts a relic—a thorn from Christ’s crown, donated to the church by Pope Gregory XIV in the 16th century. In the baptistery, which still serves for baptisms, one can admire a 12th-century statue of the Archangel Gabriel.

The Torrazzo, as the cathedral’s bell tower is called, is the tallest in Italy. After climbing its 502 steps, one can enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding area from a height of 111 meters. The ancient clock in the bell tower not only tells the time but also the phases of the moon and other astrological information.

The Palazzo Comunale has been the seat of the city government since the 13th century. Although the building’s interior is inaccessible, its façade boasts a marble balcony, the “Argenario,” from which decrees were read. The Loggia dei Militia, a two-story building built in 1292, is used for public gatherings.