Iitineraries

Over the centuries, the most important noble families and dynasties of Crema adorned the town with sumptuous palaces. Traces of this aristocracy are still visible today in the extraordinary gardens, entrance halls and frescoed rooms that are concealed behind the facades of Crema’s spectacular “palazzi”.

Starting from Piazza Giovanni XXIII near Porta Serio, we continue along Via XX Settembre and arrive in Piazza Premoli, where you can admire Palazzo Patrini-Pozzali and Palazzo Vimercati-San Severino. In the nearby Piazza Trento e Trieste you can visit Palazzo Donati-Benzoni and Teatro di San Domenico, an old Dominican monastery now used for concerts and shows. From Via Cavour you can see Palazzo Benvenuti Albergoni Arrigoni, and from Via Civerchi you can see Palazzo Santa Barbara and Palazzo Benzoni. After crossing Piazza Garibaldi it is possible to enter Via Dante Alighieri and reach Piazzetta Terni de Gregory, where you will find the City Museum of Crema and Palazzo Terni de Gregory.

The town of Crema has a delightful rural environment surrounding it. The routes along the bike paths are pleasant and undemanding and allow the visitor to enjoy some beautiful landscapes and cultural activities. Starting from Piazza Duomo, the first place to visit is the Shrine of the Marzale, a sacred and quiet place where you can relax in the shade of the poplars. In the nearby Ripalta Arpina you can enjoy a lunch made with typical products. The second place to visit is the Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy in Castelleone , and the third is shrine of Santa Maria in Bressanoro, with its fascinating architecture. it is possible to conclude this tour in a farmhouse or back toward the center. An alternative and equally delightful tour goes along the path of the fountains, from Crema to Capralba and Vailate.

The tour begins at the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Croce, dedicated to The Virgin Mary who appeared there in 1490. After a visit to the church, the tour continues towards the old town, and to the City Museum of St. Augustine, with its cloisters and beautifully frescoed halls (access is from Via Dante Alighieri). Proceeding along Via Mazzini it is possible to reach Piazza Duomo where, in addition to the Town Hall and the Episcopal Palace you can visit the Cathedral, a splendid structure in Romanesque style that brings with it more than 1,000 years of history of Crema. The tour ends with a visit to the Church of San Bernardino and the Church of St. Trinity.

Crema’s cuisine has its roots in rural tradition, with a wide use of farm animals such as pork, goose and duck, as well as a wide selection of pasta dishes and desserts which, combined with the typical cheeses made of local milk, make up the culinary tradition of Crema. During the month of August the food festival “Tortelli&Tortelli” attracts thousands of visitors from all over Italy. The gluttonous tour is aimed at culinary tourists and starts in the downtown streets, passing by several tasting points of “Tavole Cremasche” and retail outlets selling local products (Salva, Mozzarella cheese, pastries, sausages, “Mostarda” and sweet ravioli).

Crema will be European City of Sport in 2016. Golf Crema offers a popular 18 hole golf course and a 9 hole Mummy; the Tennis Club Crema enables fans of this sport to play on indoor and outdoor courts and newly laid, and already home to international championships; the Town Swimming Pool features both indoor and outdoor facilities; there are horse riding centers within easy reach, with opportunities for beginner and more expert riders; and finally, there are several gymnasiums and sports fields where clubs meet for martial arts classes, dance classes, athletics training and football and rugby matches.

In addition to the sport facilities there are spas that offer a well-deserved relaxing break after a tiring match or training session. In addition to the above, the “Giardini di Porta Serio” become a CONI event point during the summer months. CONI is an initiative that has demonstrated how sport can give space back to the city and create important social networks, and thanks to this initiative Crema’s public gardens now have new open spaces where the public can exercise or simply take a stroll.