Cremona

It was Saturday and we had no place planned to go.  I suggested going to Cremona, a small city about 1 hour south east of Opera.

 We got there and it was market day.  Here is a traveling shoe store.

 We went to the cathedral and it was closed.  But the bell tower was open and it only cost a couple of euros to climb 400 steps to the top.!  So I went and Peggy went shopping.

 A view looking down on the baptistery (octagonal building) and the cathedral.  The view was great!

 The last series of step was up this very rickety spiral staircase that swayed as I took each step.  It was rather scary.

 A view of the back side of the cathedral on the way back down.

 Almost down and here is some of the market in the town piazza.

 At this level the Church had life size statures of various saints.

 We then walked around the block where the tower and church were and saw this Viola hanging in the window.  This is the birth place of Stradivarius, and there are many violin makers and shops still here in this town.

 The side facade of the church.

 Yes,  they sell cheese at the market.

 After walking around for a while we found this place to eat.  A wonderful sidewalk cafe on a side street looking at the cathedral.  It was really good.  By the time we were done, this place was packed.

 Here is the local fountain - no water flowing today.

 How would you like to drink the stuff that comes out of his mouth!

 We then went to the Stradivarius museum.  Wonderful grounds with this modern sculpture of a Bass.

And here is a statue of Stradivarius him self.