The history of Cremona is closely tied to its luthier workshops, where the violin was made by the hands of experienced craftsmen for the very first time, more than 400 years ago.

The families of these great masters made Cremona's violins famous throughout the world, most importantly the Stradivari family.

This tradition lives on in Cremona even today, where violins are made hand-made ​​with precious woods, according to the tradition of these families of Master luthiers. 

The violin craftmanship of Cremona became part of the Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2012. 

In the streets of Cremona's old town, violin makers work using the so-called classic Cremona method, tested and refined between the 16th and the 18th centuries by the Amati, Guarnieri and Stradivari families.

A visit to these shops where this art is carried out even today is like stepping back in time, amidst the scent of old wood and paint, surrounded by the craftsmen's tools and drawings.

Illustrative tours are offered in select workshops that open their doors to visitors to reveal the secrets of their centuries-old art.