Surrounding this square are monuments from the Middle Ages, when Cremona excelled competing even with Milan. The Cathedral was begun in 1107, destroyed by an earthquake in 1117 and consecrated in 1592 by Cesare Speciano. Beautiful its façade with a double row of small arches, a central rose window and a Renaissance crowning glory. Inside you can admire frescoes of the life of Holy Mary and Jesus. A Renaissance open gallery connects the Cathedral to Torrazzo bell tower, built between 1267 and 1305. It is the tallest brickwork bell tower in Europe - 112 metres - and also the seat of "Museo Verticale" dedicated to time-measuring. In front of the Cathedral are the Town Hall, the “Loggia dei Militi” and the Baptistry on the side. The Baptistry, started in 1167 and completed in the 15th century, is a reference to baptism. It has a medieval interior with essential Romanesque elements and a taste of the Gothic to come.