Cremona, a symbol of the violin making tradition, stands out on the world stage not only for the quality and excellence of its musical instruments but also for a historical and documentary heritage of inestimable value, which constitutes a cultural and scientific patrimony of primary importance. Its long history of artisanal craftsmanship, technical innovations, and a cultural identity deeply rooted in “know-how” has been consolidated over the centuries, making Cremona a center of excellence recognized internationally. Enhancing this heritage, particularly through the in-depth study of the Bacchetta and Cozio archival collections preserved at the State Library of Cremona, represents a fundamental step in supporting and strengthening the city’s identity as the world capital of violin making, promoting a culture of knowledge nurtured not only by technical skills but also by a historical awareness rooted in documentary sources.

Cremona’s Archival Heritage: A Heritage of Knowledge and Identity
The documentary heritage related to violin making, consisting of historical and documentary collections of great value, represents a common good that allows us to reconstruct the origins, evolutions, and transformations of an art that has made the city a worldwide reference point. In this context, the Bacchetta and Cozio collections play a central role, representing two fundamental pillars for the research and preservation of Cremonese and Italian luthier history.

The Bacchetta Collection: A Treasure Still Partially Unexplored
The Bacchetta collection, donated in 1988 by the family of Renzo Bacchetta, a prominent figure in Cremona’s cultural and social life, is an archival complex containing manuscripts, typescripts, photographs, and drawings. Its importance lies not only in its material value but also in its content, which testifies to Bacchetta’s humanistic interests and his passion for the history of the city and its violin making. The documentation in this collection shows particular attention to historical events, construction techniques, and the figures who helped make Cremona a center of excellence.

Among the documents are materials related to the 20th-century revival of violin making, often interpreted as a further celebration of the “Italian genius” under the Fascist regime but which, in reality, laid the foundations for modern violin making. The documentation, often stored in modest-looking folders, hides precious insights and information of great historical and technical value, offering researchers and luthiers a fundamental knowledge base to understand the roots and evolution of this art. The presence of manuscripts, letters, photographs, and drawings allows reconstruction of construction techniques, shape characteristics, and approaches to woodwork—elements forming the foundation of the Cremonese artisanal tradition.

Analysis of this collection enables an in-depth understanding of the cultural and technical dynamics that characterized luthier production during the 20th century, highlighting how tradition evolved and adapted to new aesthetic and functional needs without losing sight of its historical roots. The Bacchetta documentation also allows reconstruction of networks between Cremonese masters and other Italian and European workshops, offering a complex and detailed picture of the circulation of ideas and techniques. Moreover, the preserved documents allow reconstruction of the origins of the International School of Violin Making, strongly promoted by Bacchetta (who was also among its instructors), representing the real link between historically commemorative reconstruction (such as the Stradivari celebrations of 1937) and the modern dissemination of Cremonese luthier know-how worldwide.

The Cozio Collection: A Heritage of Instruments and Scientific Knowledge
Similarly, the Cozio collection, acquired by the State Library of Cremona in the 1970s, represents another fundamental pillar for luthier research. Composed of manuscripts, correspondence, and instruments belonging to Count Ignazio Alessandro Cozio di Salabue (1755–1840), it documents the Count’s interest and commercial activity with major Cremonese and Italian workshops, with particular attention to Giovan Battista Guadagnini and relations with Antonio Stradivari. The collection includes original instruments, forms, molds, and materials of great historical and scientific value, often studied and published.

The Cozio collection allows reconstruction of market dynamics, construction techniques, and stylistic characteristics of Cremonese masters, offering a comprehensive picture of relationships between artisans, collectors, and merchants. The documentation also includes letters, invoices, inventories, and technical drawings, enabling analysis of material sourcing, sales strategies, and aesthetic preferences of the time. The presence of original instruments—violins, violas, and cellos—permits scientific and diagnostic studies, contributing to the conservation and valorization of the instrumental heritage.

The importance of the Cozio collection also lies in the possibility of comparing technical and stylistic features of instruments with descriptions and analyses in the manuscripts, creating a bridge between theory and practice. The documentation reconstructs techniques, forms, and finishes adopted by the great Cremonese masters, contributing to a deeper understanding of technical innovations and aesthetic choices characterizing luthier production over the centuries.

Historical and Technical Research as a Tool for Valorization
The value of these collections lies not only in their historical significance but also in their potential to create a bridge between past and present. Documentary research, conducted by historians, paleographers, and material specialists, must be closely linked to the practice of luthiers to develop a deeper awareness of their “know-how.” The synergy between study and practice can generate a more conscious culture of violin making, rooted in Cremona’s historical roots, a city that has maintained its tradition through generations, even in today’s globalized context.

From this perspective, documentary heritage represents a shared resource, not only for scholars but also for luthiers themselves, who are called to know and valorize their origins. Knowledge of historical sources prevents the dissemination of Cremonese tradition from being limited to an aesthetic or celebratory image, risking losing sight of the deep roots of an art that has made Cremona a universal symbol of violin making.

A crucial aspect for the protection and enhancement of this heritage is the possibility of networking and making these materials accessible through digital tools and online platforms. The digitization of the Bacchetta and Cozio collections, accompanied by careful cataloging and advanced research tools, can facilitate access for a wider audience of scholars, students, luthiers, and enthusiasts, contributing to spreading knowledge and awareness of the Cremonese tradition.

In this sense, exhibitions, conferences, and publications represent fundamental opportunities to raise public and academic awareness about the importance of preserving and promoting this heritage. The State Library of Cremona, in collaboration with academic institutions, museums, and professional associations, can play a leading role in promoting research, training, and outreach projects, creating a virtuous cycle between study, practice, and cultural valorization.

The Challenge of Preservation and Transmission
The preservation of these collections represents a continuous challenge, requiring restoration, safeguarding, and digitization. Protecting paper, photographic materials, and instruments requires specific expertise and careful planning to ensure long-term preservation and future accessibility. Transmitting this heritage to new generations of luthiers and scholars is a priority objective, achievable through training programs, workshops, and specialized courses.

Furthermore, valorization of this heritage must be accompanied by careful reflection on its social and cultural function. Cremonese violin making exemplifies how artisanal art can become a symbol of identity, innovation, and excellence. Its history, documented and studied through the Bacchetta and Cozio collections, can serve as a reference model for other artisanal and cultural contexts, strengthening local identity and pride.

The project of networking and making these materials accessible represents an opportunity to reinforce historical memory and the technical culture of violin making. The series of violin making-related exhibitions promoted by the State Library of Cremona since 2013, held almost annually, aimed to provide moments of reflection and rediscovery of this local excellence through a documentary path involving photographs, drawings, letters, and manuscripts from various archival collections—not only the two main ones mentioned but also others that may initially appear unrelated. For example, the series of letters preserved in the Robolotti collection, sent by Federico Sacchi in the 1870s from London to Francesco Robolotti (then personal secretary to the British Museum curator), reveal the presence of Cremonese violin making in major British private collections and the deep interest in this topic at a time when Stradivari’s name was almost forgotten in Italy and in Cremona in particular. All of this aims to make visible a heritage previously known only to a few, spreading broader awareness of the historical and cultural value of the Cremonese tradition.

A Living and Dynamic Heritage
In conclusion, the enhancement of all documentary heritage related to violin making, which we have called “paper violin making,” represents a strategic investment for the protection and promotion of Cremonese and Italian luthier culture. Documentary research, integrated with artisanal practice, can strengthen Cremona’s identity as the world capital of violin making, ensuring that “know-how” is not only a technical skill but also a shared heritage of knowledge and memory, capable of spanning eras and nurturing the future of this timeless art.

Cremona’s archival heritage, therefore, is a living and dynamic asset requiring attention, care, and innovation. Its valorization can foster greater awareness of the historical and cultural roots of the luthier tradition, stimulating dialogue between past and present, craft and scientific research. Only through a shared commitment among institutions, scholars, luthiers, and citizens can this rich and complex legacy continue to serve as a point of reference and inspiration for future generations, helping to keep Cremona’s great tradition alive and its role of excellence recognized worldwide.

Cremona, a city symbolic of the luthier tradition, stands out internationally not only for the quality and excellence of its musical instruments but also for a historical and documentary heritage of inestimable value, forming a cultural and scientific patrimony of primary importance. Its long history of artisanal craftsmanship, technical innovations, and a cultural identity deeply rooted in “know-how” has been consolidated over the centuries, making Cremona a center of excellence recognized worldwide. Enhancing this heritage, particularly through the in-depth study of archival collections preserved by institutions such as the State Library, the State Archive, and the Violin Museum, represents a fundamental step in supporting and strengthening the city’s identity as the world capital of violin making, promoting—through synergy among cultural institutions, universities, and professional associations—a culture of knowledge nourished not only by technical skills but also by historical awareness rooted in documentary sources.

This is a common heritage that allows reconstruction of the origins, evolutions, and transformations of an art that has made the city a global reference point. In this context, documentary research plays a central role, providing a solid basis for the protection of Cremonese and Italian luthier history.

Director, State Library of Cremona