San Bassano
Welcome to San Bassano!
Hello everyone! Today I will take you on a tour of San Bassano, a charming town in the province of Cremona. With a population of around 2092 inhabitants, San Bassano has a long and rich history full of interesting events. Get ready to discover some of the most famous monuments and learn about the culture of the town, so that you can understand why it is a destination worth visiting.
History
The history of San Bassano dates back to the 6th-7th century, when a late Roman necropolis was discovered in the area of Serragli, not far from the inhabited center. Human presence in the area is therefore documented since ancient times, and the fact that the Ancient Queen's Road passed here made the town a point of passage for pilgrims, trade, and armies. In 1157, the Consuls of the Municipality of Cremona granted the center the privileges of a free village, second only to Soncino, and the town developed rapidly with the construction of a parish church dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours and a castle that hosted the Empress Beatrice of Burgundy.
In the fifteenth century, the castle began to lose its importance and the town followed the historical events of the area. However, San Bassano managed to maintain its charm thanks to the preservation of its monuments.
Monuments and places of interest
Parish Church
The church of San Bassano is dedicated to the patron saint of the town and was built from the mid-sixteenth century. Its facade was restored in 1915 by the architect Abramo Aresi, and the interior underwent important restoration work between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The Confraternities of the Holy Sacrament and the Madonna of Carmel were based here.
The interior of the church is composed of three spacious naves that have been decorated in a modern style since the nineteenth century. However, it was possible to save some fragments of ancient ornamentation. The church is also famous for its Balbiani organ, installed in 1918, and the concert of 5 bells of the Ambrosian Rite, the work of the Capanni Foundry in Castelnovo ne'Monti.
San Bassano Castle
Although the castle has lost much of its importance over the centuries, it still represents an important tourist attraction for the town. Built in the twelfth century, it hosted Empress Beatrice of Burgundy during the siege of Crema in 1159 by Frederick Barbarossa. Since then, it has undergone numerous modifications, but its basic structure is still visible and the castle is often used for cultural and tourist events.
Other places of interest
In addition, San Bassano offers other interesting places to visit such as the chapel of St. James the Greater, built on a pre-existing pagan building, and the Ancient Queen's Road, which is an important landmark for history enthusiasts.
Conclusions
San Bassano is a very charming small town, thanks to its long history full of interesting events. It represents an ideal destination for those seeking a bit of peace and tranquility away from the chaos of big cities. With its parish church and castle as its main attraction, San Bassano represents a hidden gem to discover.
