The first unit of the Museo Civico "Ala Ponzone" was established thanks to the marquis Ala Ponzone's gift (1842) and it is enriched with works coming from suppressed churches and with following bequests.

It has had its residence in Affaitati palace since 1928.

It was begun by the architect F. Dattaro in 1561: it is of clear mannerist style, as you can see in the facade and was enlarged in the eighteenth century with the scenographic and imposing grand staircase.

At present the museum gives hospitality to rich and different artistic collections: among them the archeological session, important proof of the Roman period, and the picture-gallery, fundamental stage to know the Cremonensis picture, are particulary interesting.

A lot of parts of the museum, today, are renewed, but the public can visit also other rooms even if they are not restructured yet.
In realizing the new rooms, modern expositive principles were use and by means of mezzanine floors having nothing to do with the building itself it was possible to create more room for temporary exhibitions.

In this wing there is a broad choice of works which gives the public the idea of the property of the museum.
The route begins with the paintings of the fifteenth century, dominated by the Bembo's family, then goes on with the works of the golden century for the Cremonensis picture: the sixteenth century, which had, as protagonists, Boccaccio e Camillo Boccaccino, the Campi's Brothers and St. Anguissola.

The route is then concluded by the seventeenth century pictures by Genovesino, P. Nuvolone, B. Strozzi e Caravaggio. In the two mezzanine floors there are objects beloging to a minor art beside Flemish and nineteenth - century pictures, above all works by G. Carnovali said Piccio.

The old rooms give hospitality to precious collections of ivories, enamels, ceramics, terracottas, drawing and medals, paintings and sculptures of each period and miniated chorals beloging to the Treasure of the Cathedral.