Share and Follow
The legacy of Cremona’s master artisans, its historic museum, and its collection of rare Stradivari instruments ensure that a rich musical heritage thrives in this storied Italian city.
CREMONA, Italy — Widely acknowledged as the birthplace of the violin, Cremona is a city where the echoes of a nearly 500-year-old musical tradition still resonate. This is largely thanks to its skilled craftsmen, the iconic cathedral, and the acclaimed violin museum that collectively keep the art alive.
Dominating the cityscape, the cathedral of Cremona has stood firm for almost a thousand years, silently witnessing the churn of wars, plagues, and the rise and fall of empires. Its interior is a testament to historical grandeur, with towering columns, ornate altars, and breathtaking Renaissance frescos.
Yet, Cremona’s most cherished legacy is not etched in stone but crafted from wood. The city is renowned for its exquisite violins, a tradition upheld by master violin makers such as Mathijs Heyligers, who emphasizes that crafting these masterpieces begins with a profound understanding of the wood itself.
Mathijs Heyligers, a master violin maker, said the work begins with an intimate understanding of the material.
“When I observe a piece of wood, I can almost already see the sound that it will produce,” he said.
Virginia Villa, general director of Cremona’s violin museum, said the city remains defined by its makers.
“Cremona is the city of the violin makers,” she said.
The museum houses instruments created by early masters, including Amati, Guarneri and Antonio Stradivari, whom Heyligers called “the number one violin maker of all time.”
Visitors can view and also hear the instruments, which museum curator Riccardo Angeloni described as both a responsibility and a privilege.
“When I open the case, it really clears my mind,” he said. “They’re the most beautiful instruments in the world.”
The craft continues to inspire new generations. A 22-year-old violinist named Stefan, plays a 1726 Stradivari.
“My grandfather and my father played the violin,” he said. “And now it’s my turn.”
Heyligers said hearing or playing a Stradivari raises musicians “to a higher level,” comparing the experience to “a hand coming down from heaven.”
Cremona’s violin makers are a close-knit community that collaborates to preserve techniques dating back to the 17th century — ensuring the city’s sound endures.
As new artists and artisans continue the tradition, the city remains the birthplace of the violin, where its music plays on.