Holiday apartment in Torlino Vimercati – churches, fontanili and local history

Churches and defensive history in Azzano

The parish church of Sant'Ambrogio is the only church in the Diocese of Crema dedicated to Saint Ambrose.

The interior of the parish church of Sant'Ambrogio features decoration attributed to Tommaso Pombioli and Gian Giacomo Barbelli. During construction work, the Chapel of the Madonna del Rosario was also rebuilt between 1592 and 1611. The Chapel of the Madonna del Rosario belongs to the parish church of Sant'Ambrogio and forms a separate structural section within it.

The parish church of San Lorenzo Martire is located in the hamlet of Azzano. Its interior contains frescoes from the 17th century. The church of San Lorenzo in Azzano is also mentioned in a decree by Bishop Sicardo of Cremona dated 19 June 1206. The reference therefore dates back to the Middle Ages, while the frescoes belong to the 17th century.

The Torrione Vimercati, a 15th-century defensive building, also stands in Azzano. The Torrione Vimercati belongs to military architecture; it dates from the 15th century, while the frescoes of San Lorenzo date from the 17th century. As a defensive building, the Torrione Vimercati is a different type of structure from the parish church of San Lorenzo Martire.

Fontanili and the water landscape

Torlino Vimercati has a dense water network, whose local drainage ditches all originate at a fontanile.

The Fontanile di Torlino lies within the town area and, after a short course, flows into the Roggia Acquarossa.

The Parco dei Fontanili protects fontanili that are considered historical and archaeological evidence of high ecological and naturalistic value.

Local history, festival and cycling connection

Vineyards were planted in Torlino Vimercati in the 17th century. Their famous wine, Guazzachino, has now almost completely disappeared. The vineyards were planted in the same century to which the frescoes of San Lorenzo also belong.

The feast of Sant'Ambrogio takes place in Torlino Vimercati in December.

A 2.5 km unpaved path leads to Torlino Vimercati from the cycle path between Crema and Trescore Cremasco, opposite the sports field. When planning a cycling tour, both the 2.5 km distance and the unpaved surface should therefore be taken into account. The 2.5 km refers to the unpaved path to Torlino Vimercati, not to the entire connection between Crema and Trescore Cremasco. For cyclists, the surface is a practical consideration alongside the distance. The 2.5 km can be planned as a separate access route, and the sports field provides a clear spatial reference point for the start.

Other places to include in your plans

You can also include Stagno Lombardo, Cignone, Bagnolo Cremasco, Agnadello, Torre De' Picenardi, Gerre De' Caprioli, San Latino and Bordolano in your selection for further ideas of places to visit.

For the broader travel overview: Cremona.