Roman Catholic Diocese of Crema

The Diocese of Crema is a Roman Catholic ecclesiastical territory in northern Italy, existing since 1579. It is suffragan to the Archdiocese of Milan. Its seat is Crema Cathedral.

Founded in the sixth century, Crema endured a particularly hazardous geographical position in terms of its independence. It was no great distance from Milan, and its neighbor to the east, the Serene Republic of Venice, was always pressing to expand its holdings on the mainland. In addition the German emperors held the overlordship of the Po Valley and from time to time dominated the political situation. Otto of Freising , for instance, draws attention to Crema's situation in the perpetual struggle between Cremona and Milan. Crema was situated just halfway between Cremona and Milan. It bore a good deal of the military action, and, as Cremona regularly rejected its demands in litigation for redress and reparations, Crema developed a grudge. This was particularly wrenching since Crema was politically subject to Cremona and spiritually subject to its bishop. To gain an advantage, the leaders of Cremona urged the Emperor Frederic Barbarossa to destroy Crema in exchange for a considerable sum of money, which would allow him to pursue his ventures in the Po Valley. The citizens of Crema therefore threw in their lot with Milan.

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