THE CREMASCO
A LAND OF WATER, RICH IN HISTORY, TRADITIONS AND FLAVORS
THE CREMASCO
A LAND OF WATER, RICH IN HISTORY, TRADITIONS AND FLAVORS
Cremasco is situated in the heart of the Po Valley and corresponds to the northwestern area of the Province of Cremona, representing the most industrialized and densely populated zone. The territory preserves a strong identity connected to the city of Crema, with a millennia-long history filled with significant events that have uniquely shaped this specific geographic area.
IT’S LEGENDS
IT’S LEGENDS
Cremasco is characterized by a strong presence of water: the Serio, Adda, Tormo, and Oglio rivers intersect the area, while a dense network of irrigation canals, ditches, bocchelli, and springs dot its surface. This rich hydrological framework highlights the region’s historic agricultural vocation, which developed after the reclamation of once marshy and swampy lands.
This geographical setup gave rise to the legend of Lake Gerundo, a vast body of water supposedly created through floodings and hosting a monstrous creature called Tarantasio, miraculously slain by Saint Christopher on the banks of the Lodi basin.
Among the main engineering feats, the Vacchelli Canal, built at the end of the 19th century, crosses the entire Cremasca plain, providing essential irrigation support for the region’s dense agricultural fabric.
THE CITY OF CREMA
The earliest records of Crema date back to the 11th century, indicating that it was a strategically significant center from its origins.
Due to its political proximity to Milan, it was destroyed by Barbarossa in 1160 during the prolonged siege of the city. After being rebuilt, Crema experienced a prosperous period until its conquest in 1449 by Venice. The rule of the Serenissima ended with the Napoleonic wars in 1797, leaving a lasting influence on the city’s cultural, architectural, and social fabric.
The city boasts several historically and architecturally significant buildings (both civil and religious): the central Piazza del Duomo, along with various other locations both within and outside the urban area, hosted the filming of Luca Guadagnino’s 2016 film Call Me by Your Name.
THE LOCAL FLAVORSÂ
The most representative dish of local cuisine is the Tortello Cremasco, with ancient origins, featuring a sweet filling made with various spices, candied fruits, and a unique cocoa amaretto.
Among the local dairy products, the Salva Cremasco DOP stands out—a raw-milk cheese with either medium or long aging, offering a rich and intense flavor.
In the realm of sweets, notable local specialties include the Torta Bertolina (made with strawberry grapes) and the Spongarda, filled with dried fruits and spices.
Like many rural and agricultural regions, Crema is also known for its local salami as a traditional cured meat product. Historically produced on farms with the help of itinerant butchers (norcini), the Salame Nobile Cremasco is now a product of excellence. Made from the finest cuts of well-fed pigs, it matures in the region’s characteristic humid and misty climate, with the skillful use of spices imparting a unique taste and aroma.
