Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
flaunt frescoes of the lives of the Virgin Mary and Christ; the
Storie di Cristo
(Stories of
Christ) by Pordenone stands out.
The cathedral's most prized possession is the Sacra Spina (Holy Thorn), allegedly from
the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus Christ. It's kept behind bars in the
Capella delle Reliquie
.
Torrazzo
(Piazza del Comune; adult/child €5/4, incl baptistry €6/5; 10am-1pm & 2.30-6pm Tue-Sun Mar-Nov)
The 111m-tall bell tower is connected to the duomo by a Renaissance loggia, the
Ber-
tazzola
. It is fronted by a beautiful zodiacal clock, 8m wide and installed in 1583. A total
of 502 steps wind up to the top of the tower for views across the city.
TOWER
Chiesa di Sant'Agostino
(Piazza Sant'Agostino)
Inside the Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, the
Cappella Cavalcabò
(third
chapel on the right) is a stunning late-Gothic fresco cycle by Bonifacio Bembo and his as-
sistants. One of the altars is graced with a 1494 painting by Pietro Perugino,
Madonna in
trono e santi
(The Madonna Enthroned with Saints).
CHURCH
Chiesa di San Sigismondo
(Largo Visconti)
A couple of kilometres outside the old city, the Chiesa di San Sigismondo
(1463-1492) was built to commemorate the wedding of Francesco Sforza to Bianca Maria
Visconti in 1441. The 16th-century fresco cycle is a great example of Mannerism
CHURCH
Festivals & Events
Festival di Cremona
Claudio Monteverdi
(
www.teatroponchielli.it
)
A month-long series of concerts centred on Claudio Monteverdi and
other baroque-era composers in early May to early June.
MUSIC
FOOD
Festa del Torrone
(
www.festadeltorronecremona.it
)
A late-autumn weekend dedicated to tastings of Cremona spe-
ciality
torrone
(nougat).
Sleeping & Eating
