Piazza del Comune (Duomo, Torrazzo e Battistero) BY GULSHAN (Cremona)

 church, monument, architecture - Do not use this category

Piazza del Comune, the true center of Cremona, is a beautiful medieval square, with a west side formed by the red-brick Loggia dei Militi - formerly headquarters of the town's militia - and the Palazzo del Comune (Old Town Hall), rising gracefully above a Gothic arcade, embellished with terra-cotta panels. .

The northeast corner is marked by the tall bell tower known as the Torazzo. It dates back to the mid-13th century, and bears a fine Renaissance clock dating from 1583. At 112m, the Torazzo claims to be Italy's highest medieval tower, and offers excellent views over the the whole town and plain surrounding.

The Torazzo is connected to the 12th-century Duomo by a Renaissance loggia. The Duomo a mixed-looking church, with a fine west facade made up of Classical, Romanesque and fancy Gothic features. Originally conceived as a basilica, its transepts were added when the Gothic style became more fashionable - presumably explaining its slightly squat appearance inside.

Its most significant interior features are its 16th-century nave frescoes, including a superb trompe l'oeil by Pordenone on the west wall, showing the "Crucifixion" and "Deposition", and the 15th-century pulpits, decorated with fine reliefs.

Next to the duomo, the octagonal Baptistry dates from the late 12th century.