Museo del violino

About the museum

The origins of the museum go back to 1894, when Giovanni Battista Cerani donated instruments and models to the Municipality of Cremona, creating the Museo Stradivariano. The collection was later enriched with materials from Count Ignazio Alessandro Cozio di Salabue and with the collection of Giuseppe Fiorini, donated to the civic museum.

The current seat is the Palazzo dell’Arte, a 1930s building designed by Carlo Cocchia and restored, after two years of work, thanks to funding from the patron Giovanni Arvedi. The museum was inaugurated on 14 September 2013 with the definitive transfer of the collection. The building belongs to the Municipality of Cremona, and the museum is run by the Fondazione Antonio Stradivari.

The collection includes violins, violas, cellos and double basses by makers such as Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù, with pieces from the Amati and Guarneri families. The route is arranged in ten rooms, from the origins of the violin to the luthier’s workshop, from the classical Cremonese school to the Stradivarian relics, and on to contemporary luthiery and the violin in cinema. The Palazzo dell’Arte also houses the Auditorium Giovanni Arvedi, with 464 seats, and on the ground floor there are scientific laboratories for the study of the instruments.

Highlights

• Instruments by Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù
• Room of the luthier’s workshop
• Room with 3D immersive audio
• Room “Lo scrigno dei tesori” with pieces by the Amati and Guarneri families
• Auditorium Giovanni Arvedi with 464 seats
• Stradivarian relics and the Triennial Competition for contemporary luthiery

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso museale in dieci sale – From the origins of the violin to the luthier’s workshop, from the Cremonese school to Stradivarian relics, through to contemporary luthiery and the violin in cinema.

Founded

1893

Operated by

Fondazione Antonio Stradivari (Comune di Cremona proprietario)

Visitors per year

approx. 74,895 (2022)

Admission & discounts

Tickets are also valid with the Carta del Docente and 18App. Free admission for licensed tour guides and accompanying persons on duty, teachers accompanying school groups, journalists, luthiers with an MdV card, ICOM members, Amici di Stradivari and holders of the Abbonamento Musei Lombardia.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is accessible to people with mobility impairments, with lifts in all spaces.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Palazzo dell’Arte, in Piazza Marconi.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

Free cloakroom near the ticket office: umbrellas, large backpacks, bulky bags and instrument cases must be left there.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit