Italy: Cremona – Rest and Enjoy Specialities in this Town

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Today will shall visit Piazza Roma. You will find here the place of final peace of the most famous violinist there has ever lived - Antonio Stradivari.

Stradivari died in 1737 (at the age of 93) and was buried in the church of San Domenico. He had bought the tomb in this temple eight years prior to his death. Today, at this place in the historic center of the city, you will be looking for the imposing Basilica of San Domenico in vain, because in 1868 its demolition began. The only reminder of the past is the inconspicuous pedestal (tomb) with the famous name of Antonio Stradivari on it. Similarly to the church, the adjoining buildings, where workshops and shops of violinists, including those belonging to Stradivarius, also landed. At present there is a gallery with130 meters of arcades.

However, we are entering Giardini Pubblici "Papa Giovanni Paolo II", a large public park which is situated just opposite the gallery. His memorial is home to a Cremone native, composer Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643), and opera composer Amilcar Ponchielli (1834-1886), who was born in the village of Paderno Fasolaro near Cremona. A romantic place full of trees and greenery is ideal for resting.

The city lives not only out of the number of shops and artisans involved in the procurement and creation of stringed nstrumets. The local economy is associated with agricultural production, and even south of the city is oil and gas. Port on the River Po is the base not only for boats carrying goods, but also links the city with the sea which is in considerable distance from it.There are relatively large engineering and food factories. As souvenirs, you can take home some vegetable oils, cheeses, salami or some tasty candies.

The very well known Grana Padano hard cheeses are produced north of the River Po in the province of Cremona. From the famous Parmigiano Reggiano it differs in production and locality. Unique cheeses are made from partially skimmed milk and their maturation date is 1 to 4 years. The cheese itself is finely salty, has a slightly spicy flavor and a distinctive aroma, giving it great flavor.

The second specific food is a special salami simply called Salame Cremona. The basis is Cotechino - Italian pork sausage, which is cooked at low temperature for several hours. Traditionally, it is served during a New Year's Eve dinner with a lens to provide for an extra year for a wealth of money.

If you would like to try a traditional meal, ask for marubini cremonesi. According to the legend, this food, especially during the holidays, saved the life of the Emperor and the Pope. Tradition says that in 1414, Cabrini Fondulo, Mr Cremony, invited the Pope and Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg to kill them by dropping them from the Torrazzo tower. During the banquet, however, both guests ate a meal served. Marubini - fleshy pasta cooked in spicy broth of beef, pork and chicken - saved their lives. For a great compliment of food, the host decided to abandon his original intention.

GPS: 45°08'00.5"N 10°01'29.8"E

Text and photos: Mgr. Anna Nociarová

Edited by: Infoglobe