Cremona Cathedral, named after Santa Maria Assunta - the main church of the small town of Lombard and the Department of the bishop. Its bell tower, the famous Torratstso, is a symbol of the city and is considered the highest tower domodernovoy Italy. An integral part of the cathedral is its baptistery - an important monument of medieval architecture.

The original cathedral was built in the Romanesque style, but over time his appearance as a result of numerous restorations, there were elements of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. Construction of the church began in 1107, the year, but it was interrupted by the earthquake in 1117, the year. It resumed only in 1129, the year and lasted more than 40 years. The main altar, dedicated to the patron saint of Cremona Arkel and Immer, was consecrated in 1196, the year.

The current facade of the cathedral was built in the 13th - early 14th century. Then it was built the transept. Today, the facade and standing next to the Baptistery are among the most significant monuments of Romanesque art in Europe. The facade is notable porch with the porch at the center, which in 1491, the year was added Renaissance loggia with three niches. Facade topped by a huge window-rosette. The portal was designed in the early 12th century in his sides are figures of prophets. Also on the façade you can see an ancient frieze, statues of the Madonna and Child with the bishops, two lions from Verona marble and two tombstones, one of which dates back to the 14th century.

Inside the Cathedral of Cremona is decorated with numerous works of art. The oldest of them are frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph - they date back to the 14-15 th centuries. There is also a work of Giovanni Antonio Amadeo and sculpture by Benedetto Briosco in the crypt. Special attention is given cycle of frescoes on the side wall of the nave from the early 16th century - it depicts scenes from the life of Mary and Christ. Over the cycle employed several artists - Bokkachchino Boccaccio, Giovanni Francesco Bembo, Altobello Meloni, Girolamo Romanino, Il Pordenone and Bernardino Gatti.

The famous baptistery was built in 1167, the year - it is in the form of an octagon, which is typical of the cult of St. Ambrose of Milan and symbolizes the eight days of the Resurrection. The architecture of the building mixed traits and Lombardy Romanesque-Gothic style (the latter represented by adobe brick walls). In the 16th century the walls of the baptistery was faced with marble floor was paved and made the font in the Romanesque style. Above the arch, you can see a statue of the Archangel Gabriel to the 12th century.