From the miracles to the Olympus Pizza: a day in the city of Crema. Lombardy region, Italy

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If our trip had taken place two thousand years ago, instead of passing by Paullese Highway, which links Milan with cream, we would like the American Indians: we arrived here aboard a sleek canoes, rafts or better, taken from the trunk a tree. Paddling the numerous streams that characterize this area at the time, we reached our destination without polluting, admiring the landscape that we now speak of the history books for most of the existing submerged Serio rivers, and Adda Oglio, but also canals, ditches and springs that retiring, gave way to the land as the Insula Fulcher, an island surrounded by Lake Gerundo. Today there is neither the island nor the lake, but amazingly remained the dugouts.
We have also seen this during our day Crema, at the Museo Civico di Crema, in which section of river are exposed Archaeology thirteen canoes of the third century AD, made of oak, found in the bed of the river Adda, Oglio and Po in almost perfect conditions.
But this miracle of nature is not the only miracle that the discovery of cream gave us: the spiritual history of the city is full of extraordinary events. Indeed, in 1490 the religious thread intertwined with the tragedy of a yellow. The chronicles tell of Bergamo as a convict had killed his young wife Caterina Uberti, a member of a wealthy family in Crema. The woman, seriously injured, he prayed to Our Lady that the were given the sacraments before expiring, and it was so poorly dressed woman appeared to her that said "I am the one who you called." The bleeding ceased for the time necessary to bring the dying in the parish to the Holy Sacraments. At the crime scene was placed a wooden cross, and following more miracles, including healing of a child, from 1490 to 1500 was built the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Croce.
During our walk through the streets of the city steeped in history we admired many other churches, including the oldest of Crema, which is the fourteenth-century cathedral.
But around cream, we also found a piece of America, represented by the legendary Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe. And by "meet", was enough to reach the Restaurant Pizzeria "The Parrot", in Via Cappuccini. We had heard about this place because of the numerous awards that the proprietor, Ignazio Di Marzo, obtained in major world competitions of pizza.
So for dinner we have the honor to taste the pizzas made by a world champion and Olympic champion, Mr. Iganzio, in addition to the many specialties in the restaurant. Ranging with a look, we see on the walls of the room his diplomas and awards won in competitions involving the best pizza in the world. "In this picture are next to Miss Italy, as the Pizza World Championship is held annually in Salsomaggiore Terme, and she is the godmother of the event," explains Mr. Ignatius. "I also realized the horse of the Rai headquarters in pizza dough, as well as many other award-winning creations," continues the story. And what enters Elvis and Marilyn? Simple, the meek Mr. Ignatius, so the alternate pictures of the two characters on the walls of the championships with prizes of pizza. "My first room was called Elvis," he says.
We just have to indulge in the pleasures of good food. The pizzas are so many types and colors that is very natural to think of the parrots of the tropical forests. In the menu we count 69 types of pizza, plus one, called "Ignatius Fantasia, dressed to the discretion of pizza. We decide to try some of the more fanciful "the Jungle" with mozzarella, walnut sauce, speck, Taleggio, rocket and parmesan, the "Kaimano" with tomato, mozzarella, potato chips and fried calamari, the Autumn, with tomato , mozzarella cheese, chestnuts, wild mushrooms, bacon and honey, "Deep Blue Sea", with tomato, mozzarella, prawns and rocket, the "Cockatoo", with tomato, mozzarella, bacon, gorgonzola and pears, and the inevitable "Parrot" with buffalo mozzarella, Pachino tomatoes, mushrooms, ham and rocket salad with truffle oil. The rest of our group does not stand up instead of the culinary restaurant, such as spaghetti and tagliatelle excellent Parrot, while we take the second cut of beef. We close in sweetness between Christmas atmosphere thanks to the delicious cake of the house.
In the words of Marilyn, "Some Like It Hot," and we are confident that she would have appreciated the dishes on the Parrot, and as for Elvis, if it ever came to Crema, would surely have found this city "rock" in the sense of beautiful , and full of irresistible stimuli.

Frances Bertha

INFORMATION:

www.comune.Crema.cr.it
Ristorante Pizzeria Il Pappagallo
Via dei Cappuccini, 32 Cream
0373/30299