No other city in the world has Cremona's concentration of active luthiers, historical collections, specialist suppliers, and living tradition. Studying here means being immersed in the craft from the moment you arrive — not just in the classroom, but in every street, shop, and concert hall.
UNESCO recognized Cremona's violin making tradition as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012. The city's commitment to this heritage shapes everything from urban planning to cultural programming — creating an environment where violin making is genuinely central to civic life.
The world's greatest
collection.
Five minutes from our workshops, the Museo del Violino houses the most significant collection of historical string instruments in existence — including Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesù, and Amati instruments that have shaped the sound of Western music for four centuries.
For our students, the museum is not a tourist attraction — it is a reference library. The ability to study historical instruments at close range, understand their construction choices, and hear them played in concert is a fundamental part of the education here that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere.
Visit museodelviolino.org →Cremona by the numbers.
A city built for
craftspeople.
Cost of living
Cremona is a mid-sized Italian city with a significantly lower cost of living than Milan (45 min by train) or Rome. Student housing, food, and transport are all accessible on a modest budget.
Specialist suppliers
Every material a luthier needs — tonewoods, varnish resins, tools, strings, fittings — is available from specialist suppliers in and around Cremona. The supply chain is part of the local economy.
Professional network
150+ independent luthiers means a dense professional network. Students routinely build relationships with working makers during their studies, leading to internships, collaborations, and employment.
Music scene
Cremona hosts the annual Stradivari Festival, international violin-making competitions, and a year-round chamber music program. Hearing the instruments you are learning to build, played at the highest level, is part of everyday life here.
International community
With 40+ countries represented in our school alone, Cremona has a well-developed infrastructure for international students — language courses, housing support, and a multilingual expat community.
Location
45 minutes from Milan by train. 2 hours from Venice. Easy access to the whole of northern Italy, and from Milan's airports to the rest of the world.