The city of Cremona, Italy is renowned for its violin makers, known as the 'Cremona School'. The most famous of these are the AMATI family, which includes Nicolò and ANTONIO AMATI. The AMATI family was followed by the Tre family, which included the Amatis, and then the Stradivari family, headed by ANTONIO Stradivari. Stradivari's instruments are considered to be some of the finest ever made, and his violins are known as 'STRADIVARIUS' or 'Strads'. The Lira family also produced fine instruments, as did the Tortoni family. The term 'Lire' is also used to refer to the instruments made by the Lira family.