Our first stop is the city of Bassano del Grappa in the province of Veneto. Bassano is famous for inventing the spirit grappa. Grappa is steam distilled from the pomace left over from making wine, i.e., the skin, pulp, seeds and stems of the grapes. Usually it is clear but in recent years they have started aging it and then it takes on an amber color and is much smoother to drink. It is used principally as an after-dinner drink to aid digestion.
The city was founded in the 2nd century BC by a Roman by the name of Bassianus from whom its name is derived. However, bronze weapons have been found in the area which would indicate that it was settled long before that. Evidence of the medieval city dates to 998 while the castle is referred to in 1150. In the 12th century it was controlled by the city of Vincenza, by the Ezzilinos family in the 13th century, then by Milan in the 14th century and then in the early 15th century by Venice. Napoleon lived in the area for a while in the early 19th century. It became a part of the unified Italy in 1866.
To enter the main part of the town we cross the Ponte degli Alpini which is a covered bridge crossing the Brenta River. The bridge was designed in 1569 by the architect Andrea Palladio to replace a pre-existing construction existing at least from 1209. The bridge was destroyed in 1748, and was rebuilt three years later using the same design. Here is a photo of the bridge taken from a little ways upstream.
Here we are crossing the bridge. That's Matt Roseanu in the red and white jacket and our Tour Director, Marina, to the right.
Here is a look downstream from the bridge.
And a look upstream.
Here is the seal of the city which shows two lions (symbol of Venice) and a tower.
And one of the medieval street, obviously never designed to handle automobiles.
No, it is not Sears and Roebuck.
The castle tower which dates to before the 12th century.
My maternal Grandfather used to love to eat baccala which is salted and dried fish. Here is some hanging in a store window. I can remember when my Grandfather used to come visit us, my Mother would soak a piece of baccala in the laundry tub for days to get the salt out of it. I liked it.
One of the city gates.
The main square. As you can see it was market day and so the square was full of vendors selling their wares. Because of all of the congestion, the Duomo, which dates from about 1,000 A.D., was closed and I couldn't get a photo.
Bassano is the home town of Renzo Rosso, the founder and President of Diesel who has contributed a lot to the city.
This model of a Brontosaurus was just in front to the local museum and right on the edge of the river.
Our next stop was the town of Marostica. The town is built at the base of a hill and for many years was controlled by the Venetians. This photo shows the Venetians walls and fort that date back to medieval times.
Here we are in the town square. Marostica is famous for the game of chess they play in September of even number years on the life sized chess board that you can see here in the center of the square. The chess pieces are town residents dressed up to represent the various chess pieces. There is a local legend that this game originated when two local gentlemen were wooing the daughter of the Lord of the town and the game was held to decide, peacefully, who would get to marry her. In reality, the live chess game was originated by the local chess club after World War I and the chess board wasn't built until after World War II but it makes a nice story.
Here is one of the gates to the city.
And a photo of the Venetian castle.
After Marostica we headed back to our hotel in Desenzano del Garda.
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