The violin and related instruments were developed in northern Italy around 1540 and have been made continuously since that time.
\nIn Cremona, during four generations, the Amati family made violins, violas and cellos on the highest level of craftsmanship. In that sphere of violin making Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri del Ges\u00f9 created their masterpieces.<\/p>\n
Later, in the 19th and 20th century there were violin makers, \u00ad in particular Giuseppe Fiorini and Simone Sacconi \u00ad who preserved or rediscovered important knowledge. Fiorini bequeathed the tools, patterns, moulds and construction drawings of Stradivari to the town of Cremona \u00ad where they are now exhibited in the Museo del Violino. Sacconi examined the instruments of Stradivari during his restoration work and made accurate documentations. He published his observations and conclusions in the book \u00ab\u00a0The ‘secrets’ of Stradivari\u00a0\u00bb. For many years Sacconi was teaching at the International Violin Making School in Cremona and influenced following generations of violin makers.<\/p>\n