Cremona Travel Guide
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I suggest to use the train connection from Milan’s main railway station. It takes about an hour to reach Cremona’s railway station. If you decided to buy your train ticket at the main train station, tell the attendant you want a ticket to Cremona.
The price of a train ticket is 5.80 euros. (one way). When looking at the train departure schedule, you will need to keep your eye for the trains leaving for Mantova. Cremona is one of the stops on this route. I took the train n° 2651 a regional train, leaving at 08:20 arriving to Cremona at 09:28. There is another one at 10:29. Here is a link of the trains of Italy if you would like to get an idea of departure times from Milano Centrale (noted as MI C.Le).
If you decide to go by car, take highway A1 to Bologna and at Piacenza follow the signs to Cremona. Follow these driving directions to Cremona.
Most of Cremona's top tourist attractions are placed around Piazza del Comune. Cremona's center is pretty and easy to walk around . From the main railway station is very easy to reach Cremona’s center. Don’t miss to take Cremona’s map at tourist office on Piazza del Comune.
You can see pictures of some of these highlights on my Cremona Photo Gallery below.
Cremona travel guide - top sights!
- Torrazzo - the Cathedral bell tower is one of the most interesting Cremona’s sights. This 112,7 meters high tower, the second tallest brick tower in Europe with more than 500 steps, with magnificent view on the town. I have started my tour of Cremona, by climbing to the top of the tower. The Torrazzo has the world's largest astronomical clock. The similar one I have seen in Clusone, Begramo province but much smaller.
- Cathedral with Baptistery - This early 12th century cathedral (Duomo) in Romanesque style with Gothic and Baroque elements, dominates the Piazza del Comune.
- Palazzo Comunale - town hall, constructed in the early 13th century with frescoes under the portico while other frescoes are from the Renaissance period. Town hall houses permanent exhibition of string instruments (Civica Collezione di Violini). If you intend to visit this interesting show (entrance fee is 5 euros, but it’s not permitted to use photo camera with incorporated flash).
- Loggia dei Militi - Located on the main square, the Loggia dei Militi dates from the 13th century and is a excellent replica of Gothic architecture. Under the portico you'll see Hercules holding the city emblem. According to legend, Hercules founded the city of Cremona.
- Museum Ala Ponzone-Stradivariano - This museum in Via Ugolani Dati, 4 houses the private collection (paintings, archaeology, coins, ornithology) of Marquis Sigismondo Ala Ponzone (1842). But the part of the museum has been dedicated to the famous violin maker Stradivarius. Working tools, drawings and models for the construction of instruments give an idea of the activity of the famous violin maker. Antonio Stradivari's life and work)
- Fondazione Stradivari - Cremona "La Triennale" - located in Palazzo Pallavicino Ariguzzi, via Colletta, 5.
Cremona travel guide - Cremona's gastronomy!
The fact that Cremona is one of the richest rural area in Lombardy, the local gastronomy is mostly based on dairy and pork products. Here is some of the Cremona travel guide specialties:
- Salami Cremona - lightly flavored with garlic
- Cotechino and "Salame da pentola" - a boiled version of salami.
- Grana Padano DOP - hard well seasoned cheese
- Mostarda di Cremona - another typical product, made of candied fruit preserved in a spicy mustard syrup. It traditionally accompanies boiled meat (Lessi and Cotechino)
- Marubini - meat raviolis served in broth made of three different meats (beef, chicken, veal)
- Torrone (nougat) - known worldwide.
My Cremona Photo Gallery
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I couldn’t miss in this Cremona travel guide my experience with some of typical Cremona dishes. During my day trip in Cremona I tried one of typical Cremona’s menus in a small restaurants “Duomo” in a close vicinity of Piazza del Comune (I have added its picture in my Cremona picture album (below). The address is Restaurant Duomo – via Gonfalonieri 13. Phone 0372 35242. The menu was:
- Tortelli alla zucca.
- Boiled meat with mostarda of Cremona.
- Mousse of Torrone (Nougat).
- Wine and Coffee.
This typical menu costs 20 Euros. Excellent service and first class food.
Cremona travel guide - Where to Stay in Cremona?
Hotel Impero is a 4-star hotel in the center, about 50 meters from the Cathedral.
Hotel Astoria is a more economical 3-star hotel also near Piazza del Comune.
Other hotels:
Albergo Visconti
Delle Arti Design Hotel
Hotel Glam
Hotel Vecchio Casello
Ibis Cremona
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