• Art & Culture

The Winter Songs

The legend of the coldest days in the year

In Cremona's province there are some songs which are generally re-proposed in the coldest days of the year, to re-live the ancient rural atmosphere.  
In particular in Cornaleto, Crotta d'Adda, Formigara, Gombito, Pizzighettone, Soresina, San Bassano, Trigolo, and other villages, the people used to sit around a big fire, out of the church or along the river to sing together with a choir and taste some wine and traditional food. The lyrics are various but they have some themes in common: the love and the winter.
The so called giorni della merla are, according to the tradition, the last three days in January (29th, 30th and 31st) or the two first days in January and the first of Febraury. According to the tradition these are the three coldest days in the year.

The origin of this expression "i giorni della merla" is not completely clear.
According to a source dating back to the year 1740, there are two hyothesis: the first is about the story of a cannon called Merla which had to be tansported to the other bank of the Po river. The river had to be frozen in order to transport it; the second is about a noble woman, called Ms. Merli, who had to cross the Po river to find an husband and could do that only when the river was frozen and she could pass on it.
According to some other sources the explanation could derive from a legend according to which, in order to fight against the low temperatures, a blackbird and her chicks entered a chimney: at the beginning they were black but when they came out from the chemney on the 1st of February they were completely grey because of the soot. From that day all the female balckbirds and the chicks were grey.
According to the legend, if these days are cold, the Spring will be good; if they are hot the Spring will arrive late.
Info: Infopoint Cremona - tel. + 39 0372 407081
info.turismo@comune.cremona.it

Take me here: The Winter Songs

On the same topic

Museum Varese

Mummies, archaeological finds, design, ancient and contemporary art: museums to suit all tastes!
  • Art & Culture
Museum Varese, what to see?

Monuments Mantua

The Gonzagas have made Mantua a jewel of the Italian Renaissance visible in its palaces, monuments, churches, culture and traditions
  • Art & Culture
Monuments Mantua, ideas for visiting

House Museums of Lombardy: step inside the homes of renowned historical figures

Discover the history and culture of the Region of Lombardy through its historic house museums, from the homes of famous people and art collectors to artists' studios.
  • Art & Culture
Case Museo in Lombardia - Villa Manzoni, Lecco

Legend of the Seven Brothers

An evocative tale of eight brothers, linked to each other, who lived in the Lecco area
  • Art & Culture
Traditions of Lecco: Legend of the Seven Brothers

Museums Lecco

Known above all for 'I Promessi Sposi' by Manzoni, Lecco is also rich in history and culture to be discovered in the Civic Museums
  • Art & Culture
Museums Lecco, exploring Lombardy

Come to discover Cremona!

A new guide for children and families
  • Art & Culture
Come to discover Cremona!

Bergamo Città Bassa

Glimpses of ancient villages along the main communication routes between the upper city and the territory
  • Art & Culture
Bergamo Città Bassa (Lower City)

Varese pursuing new horizons

  • Art & Culture
Varese Villa Panza

Castles Cremona

Crossroads of trade and area of strong agricultural production, the Cremonese territory has always been guarded by castles
  • Art & Culture
@albertobr rete.comuni-italiani.it

Visiting Cremona is cheap!

Entry to all the town's museums with a combined cheap ticket
  • Art & Culture
Visiting Cremona is cheap!

Cult City #inLombardia

11 Cities of Art just waiting to be discovered, one after the other, which look to the future while proudly preserving stunning heritage.
  • Art & Culture
Cult City #inLombardia

Diocesan Museum

Pre-view of the exhibited art-works
  • Art & Culture
Diocesan Museum

Cremona and its music

Cremona's music is closer than what you think
  • Art & Culture
Cremona and its music

Lombardy’s Legends and Traditions

An invitation to take a journey into Lombardy’s folklore, rediscovering seven ancient legends and traditions
  • Art & Culture
Lombardy’s Legends and Traditions

On the trail of traditional trades

Six destinations to explore crafts and tradition, on the trail of traditional trades in the timeless landscapes of Lombardy.
  • Art & Culture
On the trail of traditional trades

Museums Milan

A list of museums that we recommend to visit, from paintings to statues, from technology to nature
  • Art & Culture
Museums Milan, tips and hints

Three Days in Milan: A Cultural Journey Through Time, Art, and Innovation

Plan the perfect 3-day trip to Milan with the YesMilano City Pass. Visit top attractions like the Duomo, Sforza Castle, and Leonardo da Vinci Museum. Skip lines and enjoy free audioguides!
  • Art & Culture
discovering milano

Castles Sondrio

In the mountains between castles and strongholds that challenge the peaks of the Valtellina
  • Art & Culture
Castles Sondrio

Leonardo in Lombardy: 8 itineraries to discover the places of Vinci

Eight itineraries in the Lombard capital to discover the genius of the Renaissance
  • Art & Culture
Leonardo da Vinci

Museums Pavia

Masterpieces of art, treasures and centuries-old traditions in the museums of Pavia and surroundings
  • Art & Culture
@wikipedia