Cremona
Cremona: a city in the heart of the Po Valley
Hello everyone! Today I will talk about Cremona, a beautiful city located in the heart of the Po Valley and known for the traditional craftsmanship of violins.
Cremona is the capital of the province of Cremona in Lombardy, and is inhabited by about 72,000 people. The city is in contact with the Po River, about 30 km from Piacenza, 65 km from Mantua, 50 km from Lodi, 50 km from Brescia, 56 km from Parma, 75 km from Bergamo and 85 km from Milan.
Physical geography
Territory
The area of the municipal territory of Cremona is 70.4 km², and the average altitude is 45 meters above sea level. The city is located in the southern part of Lombardy, a few kilometers from the banks of the Po River.
Climate
The climate of Cremona is humid temperate, with average temperatures of +1.7 °C in winter and +24.3 °C in summer. The average annual rainfall is about 750 mm, distributed over 76 days, with a peak in the autumn season and relative minima in winter and summer.
Origins of the name
The name "Cremona" has uncertain origins, but it seems pre-Roman and could be Gallic, from the Cenomani. It could derive from the pre-Latin variant "carm" of the term "carra", which means stone or rock. According to some sources, the founder of the city was the Trojan Brimonio, who fled his destroyed homeland and founded "Brimonia", which later became Cremona.
History
Roman period
Cremona was founded as an advanced "castrum" by the Romans in 218 BC, when they became aware of Hannibal's advance from Spain to Italy. From the river port of Cremona, "via Regina" began, which connected the city to Chiavenna passing through Milan, and "via Brixiana", which connected it to Brescia.
Legend of Hercules
According to the most well-known legend, the city of Cremona was founded by Hercules. This myth inspired numerous works of art and monuments dedicated to the famous Greek hero.
Culture and tourism
Cremona's Violin
Cremona is famous worldwide for the artisanal production of violins, known as "Stradivari" in honor of the famous violin maker Antonio Stradivari. The city hosts numerous museums and workshops dedicated to the production of violins.
Cremona Cathedral
Cremona Cathedral is one of the main tourist attractions of the city. Built in Romanesque style in the 12th century, the cathedral is characterized by its bell tower in the shape of a spire and its white and pink marble facade.
Public Gardens Giovanni Paolo II
The Public Gardens Giovanni Paolo II are a green oasis in the heart of Cremona. The park, inaugurated in 2007, hosts numerous plant species and a large artificial lake.
Conclusion
I hope this brief overview has helped you to better understand the city of Cremona and its millennia-old history. If you have the chance to visit this beautiful city, don't hesitate to do so: you will be surprised by its beauty and its numerous cultural attractions. See you soon!
