• Lifestyle
    • Art & Culture
    • Food & Wine

Mantua and Cremona

Two towns, two UNESCO heritage sites. Tips for a weekend between Mantua and Cremona

Marvellous frescoes, craft tradition and local flavours. Three days in Mantua and Cremona, hunting down masterpieces by Mantegna, the violin maker’s art and flavours galore. 

 

Mantua and its giants
This town is a UNESCO heritage site thanks to the ambition of the Gonzaga family, which transformed Mantua into a veritable artistic gem. At the Palazzo Ducale, go and see the famous Camera degli Sposi (Bridal Chamber) fresco by Mantegna. Look up to admire the cherubs and peacocks adorning the Camera Picta (Painted Chamber). At Palazzo Te, the talent of Giulio Romano shines through the architecture and the entire fresco cycle, waving a magic wand over every surface: from the Sala dei Venti (Room of the Winds) to the Sala delle Aquile (Room of the Eagles), up to the majestic Sala dei Giganti (Room of the Giants). When in Mantua, you should definitely make time to see Teatro Bibiena, described by the young Mozart as the most beautiful theatre in the world, and also the Biblioteca Teresiana. Other sites worth seeing include Piazza delle Erbe with the Basilica di Sant’Andrea by Leon Battista Alberti and the Rotonda di San Lorenzo. At the end of the day, we recommend heading out of town: sunset behind the skyline of Mantua viewed from the banks of the Mincio is breathtaking.

Cremona, city of the violin - and much more
Stradivarius, Guarnieri, Amati. These are the great names of Cremona’s violin-making tradition. This craft tradition has been on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2012. Even today, 154 workshops open to the city transform the streets of Cremona into a spellbinding place. The best place to see the great Renaissance violins is Museo del Violino, where you can admire original project designs and instruments. Cremona's even more ancient history is reflected by the facade of the Duomo, which bears witness to the styles of all the periods it has passed through since the 12th century: from Romanesque to Baroque. In this magnificent square, you can also see the Battistero, with its 35 m high dome, the Torrazzo, with the biggest astronomical clock in the world and the first new vertical museum. You can also admire the arches of the ancient Palazzo Comunale. Don’t miss Teatro Ponchielli, which was worked on by Luigi Canonica.

 

Strong traditional flavours
Cheeses such as Salva Cremasco, and cold cuts such as Salame di Cremona. Plus a classic spicy Mostarda to go with everything. Follow this with the Cremonese sweet par excellence – torrone, or nougat. The recipe dates from the 15th century and contains egg whites, almonds and honey. The city holds a big festival to honour this unique product every year. The pumpkin reigns supreme in Mantua. Don’t miss an opportunity to try the famous pumpkin tortelli, made with sweet amaretti biscuits.

On the same topic

Travelling by underground in Lombardy: between history and curiosity

The Milan and Brescia underground lines: one is the longest underground railway network in Italy, and the other is the least populated of the seven cities in Italy to have an underground railway network. 
  • Lifestyle
Viaggiare in metropolitana in Lombardia, tra storia e curiosità

Local markets papiniano fauche etc

If you are looking for something, be it food, clothing or antiques, you can find it at the market!
  • Lifestyle
Local Markets (Papiniano, Fauché etc)

ilPassaporto

Hunting for stamps to discover the most beautiful destinations in Lombardy
  • Lifestyle
Request #ilPassaporto #inLombardia

Fashion district mantova outlet

A small shopping village with big brands and big discounts
  • Lifestyle
Fashion district mantova outlet

10 places to instagram in Lombardy

Lombardy has so many locations with perfect scenarios to immortalise and share on Instagram. How many do you know?
  • Lifestyle
10 places to instagram in Lombardy

At the Monza ENI Circuit with Chiltren

Experience the fun and educational activities for children and teenagers at the Monza Autodromo.
  • Lifestyle
Laboratorio stradale autodromo Monza

Discovering the most beautiful arcades and galleries in Lombardy

A virtual tour of the towns and cities of the Lombardy region, among nineteenth-century urban arcades, elegant arches from Renaissance palaces, and medieval galleries transformed into open-air markets.
  • Lifestyle
Discovering the most beautiful arcades and galleries in Lombardy

Winter Lombardy

Many initiatives, activities, cultural and sporting proposals that will make you love the cold
  • Lifestyle
Winter in Lombardy, between cities and mountains

Paolo sarpi a little bit of china in milan

Oriental atmospheres, Asian deliciousness in this suggestive corner of China in Milan
  • Lifestyle
Paolo Sarpi: a little bit of China in Milan

A journey through time on Lombardy's historic trains

Steam engines, railcars, electric trains, old Centoporte ("one hundred doors") carriages: board these vintage trains for an unforgettable tour of Lombardy's scenic beauty
  • Lifestyle
A journey through time on Lombardy's historic trains - Ferrovia Basso Sebino - Foto Banfi archivio fbs fti

Lombardy Belvederes and Vistas

Scene from above. Milan, Upper Bergamo, Brescia, the lakes. Towers, castles, belvederes. Discover the most beautiful views of Lombardy
  • Lifestyle
View from Brunate on Como

10 Good Reasons to Visit Cremona

  • Lifestyle
10 Good Reasons to Visit Cremona

Cremona’s Guest Book

The emotions of those who decide to visit Cremona
  • Lifestyle
Cremona’s Guest Book

Street art brings a splash of colour to Lombardy

Discovering the most beautiful urban art in the cities of Lombardy
  • Lifestyle
La Street Art colora la Lombardia

Brescia more than just shopping

The streets of the big names. The antiques market. The square for the aperitif. Choose how to spend your free time in Brescia
  • Lifestyle
Brescia more than just shopping

Valentine's Day: a date with love in Lombardy

Destinations, events, and original ideas to celebrate the day of lovers in Lombardy
  • Lifestyle
Valentine's Day: a date with love in Lombardy - valmalencoskiresort.com

Lombardy, Action!

Lombardy’s breathtaking scenery has served as the backdrop for many international and independent films. Action!
  • Lifestyle
Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como

10 Good reasons to visit Varese

  • Lifestyle
10 Good reasons to visit Varese

Mantua and Cremona

Two towns, two UNESCO heritage sites. Tips for a weekend between Mantua and Cremona
  • Lifestyle
Scorcio Mantova

10 Good Reasons to Visit Mantua

  • Lifestyle
10 Good Reasons to Visit Mantua