Certainly, the centres of attraction are Cremona, with its ancient and glorious history, which can still be read in the brickwork and marble of its monuments, world-famous for its violin making tradition, Crema, which still shows signs of the Venetian domination, and Casalmaggiore, borderland but also a rich community whose monuments are a legacy of its past, such as the airy square of the Town Hall and the 18th century City Theatre.
The province of Cremona offers numberless treasures to those who are looking for special tourist corners: churches, villas, castles and parish churches scattered not only in the main urban centres but also in the peaceful countryside. Walled and Castellated Cities are certainly a good example.
The mighty walls and the defensive structures, that still give evidence of the tormented history of these places, arouse the interest of the visitors, through memories of sumptuous feasts, knights' tournaments, deadly plots, bloody fights.
The Walled Cities of Crema, Castelverde, Pandino, Pizzighettone, Soncino, Torre de’ Picenardi, S. Giovanni in Croce, Casteldidone and Tornata aim at enhancing such interesting historical heritage and offer a number of itineraries and facilities especially targeted to educational tourism.
As the Walled Cities of the province of Cremona have the monumental remains of urban defence in common, they have developed specific services to facilitate tourist flows and enhance walled and castellated cities all over the province; in particular, they focus on those students who want to learn, become enthusiastic and also have fun in a fascinating and unique context where history, art and environment all play an equal part.
Our Walled Cities invite you to enjoy their hospitality, getting intrigued by an atmosphere that will take you back to the fascination of bygone times and that will leave a persistent sign in visitors’ memory.

CREMA In addition to wall remains, Crema still has religious and civil buildings, scattered in its urban fabric, which still preserve most of their medieval and Renaissance aspect, with the spectacular elegance of the monumental complex in Piazza Duomo (Duomo Square).

PIZZIGHETTONE A circle of rampart walls among the most intact and original in Northern Italy, with blockhouses, trench, ravelin and prisons. Its small Town Hall square, its churches and museums are further reasons for visiting.

SONCINO Totally surrounded by brick walls, it lies at the foot of a perfectly preserved Sforza stronghold. Soncino is regarded as one of the most beautiful Italian villages, where you can visit churches, rich in works of art, and the Museum of Printing.

CASTELVERDE This territory with strong agricultural vocation has fostered the growth of several villages (small villages, castles, villas, farmhouses, farms) for the defence and supervision of rural organization.

PANDINO It boasts the best preserved Visconti castle in Lombardy, with its wide courtyard surrounded by arcades. The halls inside still bear the original paintings that, once, decorated the whole castle.

TORRE DE PICENARDI At the entrance to the village, Villa Sommi Picenardi is one of the earliest and most ingenious, national stylistic revivals, side by side with a romantic garden, one of the first Italian examples of English gardens.

CASTELDIDONE Off the village, Villa Mina della Scala has an original pattern that reminds of fortified residences, with its 16th century architecture, complex and austere at the same time, which is the result of the mediation between military purposes and elegant residence.

S. GIOVANNI IN CROCE Villa Medici del Vascello lies at the centre of the village. It was built as stronghold but eventually became more refined thanks to the mannerist balcony and terrace. It is enriched by a romantic-style 19th century park.

TORNATA In the hamlet of Romprezzagno, Castello farmhouse, with its original shape, takes you back to the medieval period and to the political and social power that one seigneurial family could exercise thanks to extensive landed property.