Discover Crema: Culture, routes and hotels

Crema combines architectural history in its historic centre with green spaces, a path along the Serio and regional specialities. When planning your trip, you can therefore focus on different things: architecture and museum collections, time by the river or Cremasco cuisine. The sights and routes each give your stay a distinct focus.

Green spaces and city history

The Giardini Pubblici di Piazza delle Rimembranze, also known as the Giardini di Porta Serio, are the main green space in Crema’s historic centre. If you want to combine exploring the city with a public garden, this is closely connected to the historic heart of the city. The “Un parco per tutti” path also runs along the right bank of the Serio for about 1.5 kilometres within the city of Crema.

Several churches also tell the story of different periods and architectural styles. The Chiesa di San Benedetto Abate was originally located in one of Crema’s three outlying districts; during Venetian rule, from 1488 to 1509, it was incorporated into the new ring of walls. It therefore illustrates how the city’s boundaries changed: what was initially outside became part of the new ring of walls.

Cathedral, Torrazzo and churches

The Duomo was built as a Gothic church between 1284 and 1341. Its interior is divided into three naves, with cylindrical pillars separating them into five bays. These details help you understand the layout, from the overall number of naves to the individual sections. The Duomo also preserves an apse in the south aisle, accessible from the crypt. There stands a brick altar decorated with murals, dating from the first half of the 12th century.

The Torrazzo is the civic tower above the monumental entrance to Piazza del Duomo and forms part of the Palazzo Comunale. At the same time, it connects the piazza with Porta Ombriano in the western city wall, which opens in the direction of Milan. The cathedral and tower can therefore be viewed both for their architectural forms and for their relationship to the piazza, town hall and city wall.

The Santissima Trinità, also known as Santa Trinita, presents a different architectural style: this Rococo church has two façades joined by a chamfered corner. Comparing it with the Gothic Duomo offers another perspective on Crema’s religious architecture, focusing here on different styles and façade designs.

Museum and distinctive collections

The Museo Civico di Crema e del Cremasco is housed in rooms formerly used by an Augustinian monastery. Its collections include more than 200 Egyptian artefacts, most of which are on public display. The museum also exhibits part of a collection of more than 200 typewriters. Among the Italian examples are machines made by Serio-Everest and Olivetti, including examples from Crema.

The museum thus offers several points of interest: the rooms’ former use as a monastery, Egyptian artefacts and the history of typewriters. Those interested in local industrial history can find a specific regional connection in the machines associated with Crema; the Egyptian pieces provide a different focus for the collection.

On foot or by bike

The “Un parco per tutti” path is almost flat and has a calcestre surface. It is suitable for older people, families with children and wheelchair users. The approximately 1.5-kilometre route along the right bank of the Serio is a clearly named path, with specific details about its course, length and surface.

There is also a themed outing, the “CMBYN city tour”, which follows the filming locations of “Call Me By Your Name” and can be explored on foot or by bike. Cyclists can also take the designated Itinerario dei Navigli Cremonesi. It starts at Crema railway station on the Treviglio–Cremona line and connects to the Serio cycle path. The film route and the Navigli itinerary therefore differ in theme and in the connection each describes.

Dishes from the Cremasco area

Tortelli cremaschi are considered the most typical dish of the Cremasco area and are served all year round in the city’s trattorias and restaurants. Torta Bertolina is considered a typical dessert of Crema and the Cremasco area. Both specialities give your trip a culinary focus; when planning, you can choose between a dish served all year round and a dessert associated with the region.

Discover more destinations: Gussola, Torlino Vimercati, Bordolano, Credera, Vailate, Agnadello, Offanengo, San Bassano.

For the broader travel overview: Cremona.