Bassano del Grappa
In place of, where the Brenta River widens as it emerges from among the hills, lies BASSANO, which has grown considerably in this century, but its historic center remains free from twentieth-century mistakes. The city is better known for its industrial products and agricultural products, as well as events from the world wars (look down) than thanks to some outstanding buildings or monuments. For centuries, Bassano was an important producer of ceramics and cast iron, it is also famous for its grappa distillery and such delicacies, like porcini (Dried mushrooms), white asparagus and honey.
City
Almost all of Bassano's attractions are located between Brenta and the train station; outside of this area, the newly built suburbs are quickly reached. Going from the station, you cross the viale delle Fosse ring road and come to Piazza Garibaldi, one of the two main squares. Here, in the cloisters of the 14th-century Church of San Francesco, is now the Museo Civico (wt.-sb. 10.00-12.30 i 14.30-18.30, nd. 10.00-12.30 i 15.00-18.30; 1000 L). The rooms downstairs are devoted to ceramics, printing (which had long been one of Bassano's key crafts) and archaeological finds. There are collections of paintings by the da Ponte family at the top (also called the Bassano family) and several plaster sculptures by Canova; the museum also has 2000 his drawings. The most interesting - not counting the room dedicated to Tita Gobbi, who was born in Bassano - there are enormous plafond frescoes, moved here during the renovation of the palace roof, in which they were located.
At the far end of the square is the Torre Civica, once a watchtower of the 12th-century internal walls, now a clock tower with added in the 19th century. battlements and windows. Through the loggia located behind the 15th century (once the seat of the Venetian commandant) Piazzetta Montevecchio is reached by a jumble of streets and stairs leading down to the river and to the Ponte degli Alpini. The bridge was thrown over the river for the first time here in the 12th century. and since then it has often had to be rebuilt or renovated, mainly due to floods; the current structure was designed by Palladio w 1568 r. in wood, to make the bridge as flexible as possible.
There is Nardini at the near end of the bridge, founded in 1779 r. grappa distillery (wt.-nd. 8.00-20.00); you can buy the highest quality liquor there, having tasted it first at a bar.
The names of many streets and squares in Bassano commemorate the victims of two world wars. However, the great monument to the victims of the war is located outside the city, in Monte Grappa. In this huge one, round, the multi-level structure placed the body 12000 soldiers of the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies; the monument is a declaration of future friendship rather than a symbol of mourning; was built by the fascists in 1935 r. Via Eroica leads from the monument (which can be reached in summer from Bassano by bus) to museum.
Practical information
APT's office is on viale delle Fosse 9 (pn.-sb 9.00-12.30 i 15.00-18.45) straight from the station, then right, in wide viale. The free magazine entitled "Bassano Mese" provides up-to-date information on services and events in the city.
Buses to Maser, possagno, Maróstica i Asolo (look down) depart regularly from Piazzale Trento, across the viale delle Fosse from APT; at Bar Trevizani in the piazzale you can get information and buy tickets (pn.-sb. 6.30-20.30, nd. and holidays 8.00-12.00 i 15.00-19.15).
There are two possibilities of cheap accommodation: Bassanello, via P. Fontana 2 (0424/35347), or Castello, Terraglio Square 20 ( 0424/23462) - in both, two cost money 28000 L.
When it comes to gastronomy, in Antica Osteria, Via Matteotti 5 (pn. close) you can get some good bar snacks, while Combattini, via Gamba 22 (sb. close) we recommend it for a full meal.
Marostica
Seven kilometers west of Bassano is another fortress, Ezzelina da Romano, the walled city of MARÓSTICA, whose fortress rises above the old center on the ridge of the Pausolino hill. The Ezzelins ruled here for a long time (Ezzelino III came after Ezzelino Stranger, and the one from the college after Ezzelino Munich), but the walls of the city and the Castello Inferiore (lower lock) another despotic dynasty rose, Scaligeri of Verona.
Behind the castle is Piazza Castello, City Market, on the surface of which the Partita a Scacchi game board is painted, city's main title to fame. This game was created, when two knights contending for the hand of the same lady decided to resolve the dispute with the help of chess pieces, not swords. Live figures were used, and today the game is played with great pomp on the second weekend of September even years. 14th-century costumes are put on for the occasion at the Castello Inferiore (nd. 14.00-18.00; 500 L).