The museum is best known for its collection of stringed instruments that includes violins, violas, cellos and double basses crafted by renowned luthiers,
including Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù.
Cerani was an instrument dealer and collector, who later donated various musical instruments and models owned by great Cremonese violin luthiers, including Antonio Stradivari to the town of Cremona in 1893, and thus,
the Stradivarius museum(in Italian: museo Stradivari) was established.