'View in Cremona', 1890. When the Lombards invaded Italy in late 6th century, Cremona remained a Byzantine stronghold. Construction of the Romanesque cathedral began in 1107, resumed in 1129, and was completed c1160-1170. From "Cassell's Illustrated Universal History, Vol. III - The Middle Ages", by Edmund Ollier. [Cassell and Company, Limited, London, Paris and Melbourne, 1890. ]