Cremona: the Torrazzo, nougat and Stradivari.
By John Giardino
Cremona may not be a big city, but it's a great one. It's known for its culture, music and of course the city's pride and joy: its violins. Not forgetting the local specialities, starting with mustard. The identity of Cremona is enriched by the rich and diverse architecture and historical heritage. Around every corner you can see traces of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, both sacred and profane, rural traditions and tempting treats like the famous Cremonese nougat.
Italy's largest river, the Po, flows past Cremona and has contributed much to its development, providing a valuable source of raw materials as well as inspiration. The tangible materials for violins, violas and cellos admittedly come from the forests of Trentino, but Cremona is where spruce has been transformed into musical instruments of matchless quality since the 17th century. The intangible value of the centuries of violin makers' expertise, still in full flow today, has made Cremona a UNESCO World Heritage Site.