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Home , Asiago, Bassano del Grappa, Brenta (river), Cartigliano, Cismon del Grappa, Contrada

W ELCOME TO B ASSANO DEL G RAPPA

Province of Tourist Information Office

T OWN OF F INE A RTS W ELCOME TO B ASSANO DEL G RAPPA

HISTORIC CENTRE The inhabitants of Bassano have always been 23 extremely attached to their land. This fact is 22 TO PA L 9 O S V A VIA S. A P manifest in their everyday activities, which O L NNA L IT O A C I D V E L

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have always had the purpose of bringing L A

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O OL prosperity and grandeur to their . The P I

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I VI L R VIA E V architectonical context of Bassano has P. T TA LIO I

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A T B VIALE VENEZIA Z R 18

P.Z A evolved over the centuries from this basic DI

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precept with its ensuing diversity of styles 11 7 FO D

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dating from the medieval era through to N V I 24 L

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B V A 20 L modern times. Jacopo Dal Ponte, Palladio, A 6 15 C

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A I Marinali, Canova, Dall’Acqua are just some of V 14 8 the famous artists who have left their imprint 16 4 PIAZZALE on the town.

The streets of the historic centre are proof of VIA L E D IA Z I IN D 2 13 N the town’s firmly entrenched commercial and O M E R IA V HI handicraft tradition, which developed as a CC RO A B LIT consequence of its fortuitous geographical SA PIAZZALE CADORNA position. You will enjoy stopping at the shop P 19 windows to admire the famous ceramics, the

splendid creations of the blooming trade, the reproductions of precious P

THIENE Remondini prints, and the remarkable antique RECOARO BASSANO AUT OSTRA style reproduction furniture. DA VICENZA

. 11 VICENZA MONTECCHIO S.S MAGGIORE

A4 PADOVA VENEZIA OSTRADA AUT VENEZIA

VERONA PADOVA

ROVIGO MILANO IERA BERICA IERA

STRADA RIV

VENETO REGION OF VICENZA

1 Viale dei Martiri 7 Palazzo Pretorio

The town is encircled by rolling hills and boasts a mild climate for the North of which even favours the plantation of olive 2 Giardini Parolini 8 Palazzo Sturm groves. Bassano is also famous for its high and Museo della quality agricultural products, in particular the Ceramica white asparagus, and the distillation of grappa. Respect for the natural environment has been a major influence in the 3 Loggia 9 Santa development of this well-balanced, human- dei podestà Caterina and and Town Hall “Ragazzi del ’99” scaled town. Park

INFORMATION - IAT 4 Museo Civico 10 Piazzotto (Tourist Information Office): former Convento Monte Vecchio di San Francesco and Monte di Largo Corona d’Italia, 35 Pietà Tel. +39 0424.524351 - +39 0424.525065 - Fax +39 0424.525301 PROBASSANO (local events): Piazzetta Guadagnin, 6 int. 1 - Tel. +39 0424.227580 - Fax +39 0424.505162 5 Museo 11 Ponte Vecchio degli ASSOCIATION PROMO BASSANO PIÙ: Largo Corona d’Italia, 35 - Tel. +39 0424.523169 BASSANO TOWN COUNCIL ( and Tourism Office): Via Vendramini, 35 - Tel. +39 0424.217810 - +39 0424.217807 - Fax +39 0424.217818 6 Palazzo Bonaguro 12 Porta delle Grazie

T OWN OF F INE A RTS W ELCOME TO B ASSANO DEL G RAPPA

13 Porta Dieda 1 2 3 Viale dei Martiri Giardini Parolini Loggia dei podestà and Town Hall

14 Chiesa di The visitor driving along the Described in a nineteenth century Podestà is the name given during the San Donato Valsugana Highway from Trento to guide to the town as a “place of later Middle Ages to a high official Bassano on a warm summer’s pleasure”, it is the only botanic in many Italian . The relative evening will enjoy one of the most garden in the region outside the loggia dates from the 15th century beautiful views of the town. The sphere of the universities. A and the building that is now the boulevard, which stretches from the pleasant, lush oasis situated in the Town Hall was built above and 15 Chiesa di upper castle to the Porta delle historic centre of Bassano, designed behind it. Construction began in San Francesco Grazie, is enfolded in a magical by Alberto Parolini, a local nobleman 1405, and a few years later the golden atmosphere. Once the who was particularly active in the decision was made to install a dial northern part of the boulevard was cultural life of the town at the clock made by Mastro Corrado da protected by medieval walls, which beginning of the 19th century. , at a cost of 46 ducats. 16 Chiesa di unfortunately were pulled down in Parolini was greatly influenced by The clock, which was inaugurated on San Giovanni 1886 in order to grant the wealthy Giambattista Brocchi, but above all 2 February 1430, is considered Battista families, whose magnificent by his trip to London which, at the symbolic of the secular passage of residences had turned this boulevard time, was the hub of naturalistic time in the civitas. The current clock

17 Duomo di Santa Maria in Colle

18 Teatro Astra

19 Tempio Ossario into one of the most prestigious activity, and from which originated mechanism was made by Bartolomeo areas in the , a more expansive the trend for landscape gardens. In Ferracina in 1747, the engineer after panorama. This long, tree-lined 1829, Parolini boasted a cultivation whom one of the most interesting boulevard was formerly called of “3000 species of different plants”; streets in the town, near the bridge, 20 Torre Civica delle Grazie, and then it in the last catalogue compiled by his was named. The inside walls are was named Viale XX Settembre, and daughter, Antonietta, 3200 different frescoed with the 120 coat-of-arms is today known as Viale dei Martiri, species were enumerated. In 1929, of the earliest podestà of the Martyr Boulevard. The name stems the gardens were handed over to the region. A fire in 1682 destroyed from the 31 partisans who were Bassano Town Council and even several precious frescoes by Jacopo hung in Bassano, some of them from though its dimensions were reduced Dal Ponte, fortunately, however, a 21 Chiesa della the trees that still overlook the during the fifties when a part of it fresco depicting St Christopher, Santa Trinità Valley, on 26 September 1944. was used for the construction of patron saint of wayfarers, by On 9 October 1946, the Prime various buildings, the council has Francesco Bassano Il Vecchio, Minister of the newly formed Italian always considered it one of the Jacopo’s father, still adorns the , Alcide De Gasperi, awarded town’s major cultural locations. southern wall. According to local the town of Bassano a gold medal for Some of the most interesting species tradition, if a pilgrim, passing by, 22 Convento di military valour and each year the city in the garden include: the popular glanced at the saint, he would be San Sebastiano commemorates the mopping up and Cedar of Lebanon, the Pinus Parolinii, protected throughout the day. massacre which took place on Mount named after Parolini who discovered Grappa on 20-23 September 1944. the species in 1819 in Asia Minor, the Platanus Orientalis which reaches a height of roughly 30 23 Monastery of Campese metres, the Taxus Baccata also called the “tree of death”, and the Cercis Siliquastrum, which according to popular tradition is the type of tree from which Judas Iscariot hanged 24 Grapperia himself, otherwise known as Judas’ Nardini tree.

25 Poli Grappa

T OWN OF F INE A RTS W ELCOME TO B ASSANO DEL G RAPPA

4 5 6 7 Museo Civico, former Museo degli Palazzo Palazzo Convento di San Francesco Alpini Bonaguro Pretorio

The civic museum of Bassano, is The Italian Alpine Troops museum was The is located in Borgo Via Matteotti, which extends from one of the oldest in the established in 1948 upon the wave of Angarano, which is in the western the castle to the Town Hall, was Veneto region. It was erected in enthusiasm stirred up by the part of the town. The name of this once the main thoroughfare called 1828 from the bequest of the inauguration of the reconstructed suburb originates from the ancient Contrada del Palazzo. From 1315 local naturalist, Giambattista Ponte degli Alpini and the first “fundus Ancharianus”, which up until onwards the praetorian palace was Brocchi. It comprises an art national parade of the Penne Nere, 1812, was a separate municipality the headquarters of the podestà and gallery housing the most after the Second World War connected to nearby Bassano by the later became the headquarters of the extensive collection of paintings (3 October 1948). The building, which Ponte Vecchio. Construction on the Town Council. The palace is still by Jacopo Dal Ponte and various is the property of the palace began during the 16th century, surrounded by a wall section. Access members of his family, as well as Section of the Italian Alpine Troops it was subsequently renovated to the palace is through a white paintings by other famous artists association, stands on the right bank towards the middle of the 17th century stone ashlar archway, which features such as Guariento and of the Brenta river, next to the Ponte as can be seen from the balconies on in its tympanum the lion of St Mark Magnasco; the Council’s Vecchio, and has become the the façade, the shape of the interior resting a paw on the open book of Historical Archives; the library headquarters of the association, as arcs and the openings in the upper peace, the symbol of Bassano’s which contains a collection of well as a museum and tavern open to section. allegiance to the Republic of .

prints by the Remondini family, the public. The museum started off The interior walls of the palace are In 1722, the loggia from which the famous eighteenth century with very little: cuttings from old decorated with magnificent frescoes; podestà administered justice once engravers; an archaeological newspapers, a few war relics and the Banquet Scene, which is in the stood next to the entrance; it was section with important finds in pieces of the old bridge collected manner of , adorns replaced by a small , the Chini section; and the during its reconstruction. Over the the walls of the first room on the dedicated to the patronage of the Canova section, with its years the collection has grown as right. The palace is enhanced by the Virgin Mary, which is deconsecrated collection of studies and pieces enthusiastic volunteers gather relics spacious park at the back and is now today. The stairway in the square by . The museum from the two world wars and a preferred location for holding dates from 1552, and halfway up, a is located in the former convent donations from association members shows and exhibitions. small room displays the coat-of- of St Francis, the only original and local citizens who have decided to arms of the families of the Venetian parts still remaining being the put their historical souvenirs, often podestà. On the occasion of the church and the cloister. jealously guarded for years, on show “Ballata del Millenio”, Millennium for the general public. The first major Ballade, the 1320 trial of the traitor renovation of the museum took place Perenzano dei Blasi, which ends in the mid 1970’s: access was tragically with his being beheaded, is improved, provisions were made to re-enacted in the palace courtyard. secure it against the flooding of the Brenta river and the precious coffer ceiling featuring hand painted insignias and mottos of the various troop units was restored. The latest innovation involves a realistic combat location, which has been set up on the bottom floor, and includes a howitzer belonging to the mountain artillery section. Some of the most interesting items include original photos of the Russian campaign, one of the leaflets air dropped on Vienna by Gabriele D’Annunzio, a flag of the House of Savoy with wound marks on it, old and new uniforms, the gold medal corner, a vast assortment of all kinds of arms and logistic material from the two world wars and the war of liberation.

T OWN OF F INE A RTS W ELCOME TO B ASSANO DEL G RAPPA

8 9 10 11 Palazzo Sturm and Prato Santa Caterina and Piazzotto Ponte Vecchio Museo della Ceramica “Ragazzi del ‘99” Park Monte Vecchio and Monte di Pietà The Palazzo Sturm houses one of the The spacious park located in the Bassano’s very first square was Over the years the Ponte Vecchio has most exhaustive ceramic collections northern part of the town, and part originally much more spacious than become the symbol of the town. in the area. The building, one of the of which is now being used as a car it is today. The most important Known also as Ponte di Palladio or most beautiful in Bassano, dates park, was originally used as a public buildings gave onto it and Ponte degli Alpini, this bridge has from the 18th century and overlooks military training field. Fairs, which today the town’s ancient coat-of- always been of fundamental the left bank of the Brenta river, just attracted people from all the arms can still be seen on the walls importance to the local inhabitants. a few steps from the Ponte Vecchio; outlying areas, were held here; and of the buildings. There was once a References to a bridge spanning the the terrace offers a magnificent view during epidemics the bodies of the well in the middle of the square, river at this point date back to the of the bridge. The building was dead were brought here. In fact, the which is why the square is often 12th century, but the first definite originally the residence of the Ferrari church of St Rocco, patron saint of referred to, even today, as “Piazza mention is in 1209. In the past it family, known for their organzine silk pestilence, was built here in 1631. del Pozzo”, well square. Over the was vitally important as a means of factory; then it came into the The “Ragazzi del ‘99” Park was years it was also given the name communication between the possession of the Vanzo-Bonaguro created on the eastern side, on the “Piazza del Sale”, salt square and territories of Vicenza and Bassano family and finally of Baron G. B. Sturm initiative of the national committee then “Piazza degli Zoccoli”, wooden (the boundary between the two who bequeathed it to the council to of ex-servicemen born in 1899. clog square, as up until the mid- territories was signalled at the

be used as the ceramics museum. The monument in the park includes a twentieth century pedlars used to western end of the bridge and New additional sections are planned set of bronze bas-reliefs depicting 4 come to the market held in this exercise-men controlled the traffic). for future extensions to the museum. critical episodes in the of the square to sell their ‘sgalmare’, a local Over the centuries the bridge was A small terrace and an elegant young soldiers, who in 1917 and type of wooden clogs. In 1264 a destroyed several times either during pronaos welcome the visitor. 1918 were sent to halt the Austrian number of Jewish families settled in the various wars or by the sudden, The palace spreads out over six advance on the nearby Mount Bassano and the street branching off violent flooding of the Brenta river, floors, which descend along the Grappa. from the square was in fact known then always faithfully rebuilt to the slope of the riverbank. The as Jew Street, Vicolo degli Zudei; the original design by Palladio (1569): arrangement of the rooms in the last money-lending transaction is four trapezoidal breakwater piers building is particularly whimsical recorded in archive documents as far supporting a floor system which is and unpredictable as it follows the back as 1492. The opening of a covered by a trussed roof. The bridge unevenness of the land on which it pawnshop coincided with a series of is constructed in wood to give it is built. The entrance hall was sermons delivered throughout the greater flexibility and to make it frescoed in 1765 by Giorgio Anselmi Veneto region, and in the local more resistant to the rapidly flowing from Verona, with an imposing church of St Francis in June 1492, by waters of the river (only one stone “Gigantomachy”, and the next room Blessed Bernardino, the sin of usury bridge was ever erected, but it lasted with “Venus giving arms to ”, worst enemy. The pawnshop was the less than six years). The rhythm of mythological scenes which, at the first step towards solving the the pillars, the wood ribbing and the time, were commonly depicted in the problem of usury and even today balustrades of the parapets modify halls of the nobility. The museum maintains its austerity. the appearance and fascination of houses collections of majolica ware, the bridge with every step and every porcelain ware, earthen ware, all passing hour of the day. The arranged chronologically: from "Grapperia Nardini", one of the medieval fragments of engraved hundred historical inns of Italy, ceramics to the famous Mainardi stands at the western end of the majolica ware, which in the 17th and bridge, on the right. Whereas the 18th century was produced in a tavern, Taverna Al Ponte, otherwise factory located in the nearby street, known as the Taverna degli Alpini, Via Portici Lunghi, and to the which houses the Italian Alpine contemporary section which boasts Troops museum, stands at the prestigious items as well as items by eastern end. The view of the famous artists. Valsugana valley from the bridge is quite spectacular.

T OWN OF F INE A RTS W ELCOME TO B ASSANO DEL G RAPPA

12 13 14 15 Porta delle Grazie Porta Dieda Chiesa di Chiesa di San Donato San Francesco

This is the north-eastern gateway This gate is near the lower castle The church of St Donatus was The church of St Francis was built in into the town, referred to as either known as the Berri Castle, built in erected in 1208 on the right bank of honour of the Virgin Mary, during Porta Aureola or Porta delle Grazie, 1315 by the Paduans to protect the the Brenta river close to the Ponte the period in which Bassano was the gate of Graces. This gate, which new hamlets, which had sprung up Vecchio, by Ezzelino II, The Monk, ruled by the Ezzelini family, between was built as part of the 14th century outside the town walls. upon the authorisation of the 1158 and 1183. According to walls surrounding the town, retains In 1389 the gate was incorporated of Vicenza, Uberto II, in order to tradition Ezzelino II, The Stutterer, clearer evidence of the ancient into the wall built by Gian Galeazzo hinder the propagation of Cathar built the church to fulfil a vow after nobility than the other gates. Two Visconti. heresy. On 5 July 1221, Ezzelino returning from the Holy Land. Piazza embedded columns support the large The castle eventually fell into summoned his two sons, Alberico Garibaldi, the square which now ashlar archway. The architrave, the disrepair and was replaced by and Ezzelino III to this church to occupies the space next to the frieze and the tympanum emphasise residential buildings. The only divide up his possessions before church, was once part of the moat its classical inspiration. In 1561, a remaining structure is the gate, retiring to Oliero. The church was which encircled the town wall; like local architect, F. Zamberlan, one of which was opened in 1541 by the later extended and turned into a many churches of the time it was ’s colleagues, was podestà Domenico Diedo, to Franciscan convent. built near the town gates, to make commissioned to design the gate by facilitate direct communication with According to Father F. Barbarano, the access easier for pilgrims who

a podestà from the Veneto region. the increasing number of hamlets seventeenth century historian from arrived after long, and often difficult Recent restorations have revitalised crowding the areas outside the town Vicenza, St Francis of Assis and and dangerous, journeys. Between its past splendour. The area walls. St Anthony of both stayed 1287 and 1292 it was home to the surrounding the gate is called The southern façade was frescoed in here, in April 1221 and on 4 October Friars Minor Conventual who Belvedere, because of the 1541 by Jacopo Dal Ponte but 1226 respectively. In 1325 the dedicated it to St Francis. It is a magnificent view of the Brenta unfortunately few traces remain. moved into the church Romanesque-Gothic style building Valley, with the Grappa massif on Above the arch, a fresco depicted of Holy Mary, subsequently called with gable façade, in the shape of a the right and the Asiago plateau on the ancient Roman hero Marco the church of St Francis, in the Latin cross; the slender prothyrum the left. In place of the present-day Curzio Rufo mounted on his rearing Square Piazza Garibaldi. Two years with its rounded arches dates from Caffè Italia there once stood the steed, in the act of hurling himself later the convent was handed over 1306, and in the lunette were Belvedere Loggia, with its walls into the abyss, a paradigm of to the Benedictine Nuns who turned frescoed in 1613 by Luca Martinelli frescoed by Gerolamo, son of the courage; above it, the mighty winged it into a hospital. In the 15th century Our Lady, Christ Child, St Anthony famous Jacopo Dal Ponte. It was lion and the book of peace, the it was returned to the Franciscans and St Francis. To the right of the built in the 16th century by the symbol of Bassano’s allegiance to and from the mid-sixteenth century prothyrum there is a fresco, podestà Priamo da Legge for the the . the building started to fall into a completed in the early decades of people of Bassano so that they could slow decay. Inside can be found a the 15th century by Battista da observe the military drills being painting “Our Lady with Christ Child Vicenza, of the Annunciation in the carried out in the nearby seated on a throne with St Donatus style of the valentinian heresy, Campomarzio (now called Prato and St Michael the Archangel” by depicting the Christ Child flying from Santa Catarina) as they strolled out Francesco Dal Ponte Il Vecchio, the Holy Spirit towards Mary’s beyond the walls. Caffè Italia can Jacopo’s father. In 1900 a long breast. The single-nave church with boast a host of famous patrons, such process of restructuring work took transept is covered with trusses and as George Sand who wrote the place to exalt the figures of St Francis the walls still show traces of following in her diaries: and St Anthony by restoring the cell, fifteenth century frescoes. On the “If you are ever passing through which according to tradition was high altar there is a copy of those areas, I highly recommend used by the two saints. Still today it Guariento’s wooden crucifix, the Bassano’s Caffè alle Fosse, near the offers the visitor an occasion for original being preserved in the moat, which is one of the greatest spiritual and religious meditation. adjacent civic museum. things that a traveller can come across”.

T OWN OF F INE A RTS W ELCOME TO B ASSANO DEL G RAPPA

16 17 18 19 Chiesa di Duomo di Teatro Astra Tempio Ossario San Giovanni Battista Santa Maria in Colle

The church of St John the Baptist The Cathedral of Holy Mary on the Once a council theatre, and now a The first mention of the ossuary is found stands on the southern side of Hill, the town’s cathedral, stands cinema, the Astra Theatre is the in a circular issued on 1 July 1861 Piazza Libertà, which was actually within the first wall and inside the most prominent edifice in the long in which the parishioners are asked created when the moat around the upper castle. This is the highest part row of buildings overlooking Viale to donate funds for the construction second wall was filled in. It was of the town, where the original dei Martiri. The ancient neoclassical of a church, which would become commissioned by the Blasi family, settlement was established and façade remains intact, with its deep the centre of the town’s religious built in 1308 and reconstructed around which proliferated the typical three-arched entrance loggia. It was life. Monsignor Gobbi was the during the second half of the small hamlets. On the right, before designed by the local architect motivator behind the project and the 18th century by the local architect stepping through the gate that leads Giacomo Bauto and inaugurated in first stone was blessed on Giovanni Miazzi, who designed it into the castle’s courtyard, stands 1811. During the 17th century 13 September 1908. During the First after his meeting with Francesco the Ser Ivano Tower, named after the theatrical performances were held in World War many soldiers were Maria Preti. The elderly inhabitants head of the Ezzelini family troops, a a hall in the praetorian palace and temporarily buried in the various of the area refer to the church as watchtower, situated diagonally with reserved strictly for the podestà and cemeteries around the foothills of ‘buszìa’ (lie) because of the contrast respect to the position of the walls. nobility. It wasn’t until the end of Mount Grappa, but there was a between its imposing neoclassical This parish church is mentioned in a the 18th century that the need arose need to find a permanent and

façade and the very small interior decree dating from 998, which was to create a new space accessible to dignified final resting place for those which is parallel to the façade, and drawn up during a judicial assembly everyone. The theatre’s popularity soldiers. The church was chosen to has the high altar placed on the left chaired by Count Azeli and Oberto, grew also thanks to the rich musical fulfil this purpose and was side instead of to the front of the Bishop of Verona. In 1998 the town seasons held here. In 1949 the subsequently turned into an ossuary. church. One reason for this unusual of Bassano inaugurated the “Ballata engineer Bonfanti designed the The exterior of the building is in the choice was the lack of space del Millenio”, Millennium Ballade, an theatre’s conversion to a cinema. The Gothic-Venetian style with a available to the architect. The small event to be held biennially in Muses on the proscenium were Romanesque influence; the massive altarpiece depicting St John the September, to celebrate this occasion painted by one of the major structure rises up from eight Pove Baptist is an interesting early work through a series of theatrical contemporary local artists, Danilo stone steps; it is surmounted by the by Giambattista Piazzetta (1682- performances held in significant Andreose. severe octagonal base of the cupola, 1754); the statues of the angels, the locations throughout the historic streamlined by two slender 60 metre putti and the bas-reliefs are by centre. Over the centuries the parish high bell towers. The interior is a Orazio Marinali (the street along the church of the Holy Mary on the Hill Latin cross shape measuring 75 m in left side of the church is named was modified and extended until it length with a nave and two aisles after him). In front of the church, on achieved its present-day appearance, separated by 10 marble columns. the opposite side of the square, which dates from the 17th century, Roughly 6,000 soldiers (236 of stand the buildings which once with its obvious Baroque influence. whom were decorated) are buried housed the workshop of the The interior is rectangular in design, here. On 8 February 1945, a number Remondini family, who brought with Corinthian pilasters lining its of bombs exploded in front of the Bassano worldwide renown through walls at regular intervals. The high façade uncovering many of the their prints. altar altarpiece was created by burial niches; photos of these Leandro Dal Ponte, son of the dreadful scenes still remain. In famous Jacopo, in 1595; the same August 1936, General Gaetano artist painted the “Lapidation of St Giardino, whose monument stands at Stephen” on the second altar to the the beginning of Viale delle Fosse right. facing Mount Grappa, was interred The sculptures are by Orazio here in accordance with his wishes Marinali, completed around 1704. to be buried “amongst my men” as The magnificent organ was made by he clearly stated in writing. Francesco Antonio di Giacomo Dacci in 1796. The ceiling is decorated with three paintings by G. B. Volpato, the famous local artist (1633-1706), one of which depicts St Bassiano, the town patron.

T OWN OF F INE A RTS W ELCOME TO B ASSANO DEL G RAPPA

20 21 22 23 Torre Civica Chiesa della Convento di Monastery of Santissima Trinità San Sebastiano Campese

Also called Torre Grande or Torre The church of the Holy Trinity, The convent of St Sebastian is The monastery was founded by the della Piazza, the civic tower, is founded by members of the Order of situated in one of the oldest hamlets famous Cluniac abbot, Ponzio, in located in Piazza Garibaldi, opposite the Holy Trinity at the beginning of on the left bank of the Brenta river. 1128. Upon returning from the Holy the church of St Francis. It is the 13th century, was most probably Ancient Roman finds date back to Land and in a moment of deep mentioned for the first time in a put up next to a hospital or the “fundus Margnanus”. Just below reflection, he decided to set up a document dating from 1349. Before poorhouse for wayfarers and the the parish church of Holy Mary on small monastery on the right bank of this date there are only a series of sick. The façade was designed by the Hill there are still traces of the the Brenta river together with a hypotheses, but it is commonly Giovanni Miazzi (1698-1797) with Porta Margnana, Margnana Gate. group of monks and under the believed to have been erected at the an obvious neopalladian influence: The area included a ford for crossing protection of the Da Romano family, same time as the second wall in four semicolumns, resting on huge the Brenta river. The current convent to rediscover those values which 1312, in order to protect the new bases, support an entablature topped complex began as a country church seemed to be slowly disappearing dwellings, which had sprung up by a classical triangular tympanum, dedicated to St Pancras. In the from his beloved Congregation of around the old village. Its original decorated with a denticulate cornice. 1480’s the Augustinian Nuns Cluny. The most remarkable parodic purpose is also shrouded in mystery: Above this can be seen the three dedicated the renovated and and realistic macaronic poet Teofilo its imposing dimensions and the lack theological virtues: Faith, Hope and enlarged complex to St Sebastian, Folengo, better known as Merlin

of decorative embellishments (the Charity. One of the masterpieces of the patron saint associated with the Cocai (1492-1544), well known for clock dates from 1746 and the sixteenth-century art, Jacopo plague. Some frescoes from the his brazen, light-hearted and decorative work from 1823) seem to Bassano’s Holy Trinity (1546-47), is 15th century remain, including, in the burlesque poetry, retired here in indicate that it was used for military found in this church; at the time, the confessional area, the Eternal Father 1543. He is buried in the chapel to purposes, however, from 1349 it was artist was paid for his artwork partly holding his Son’s cross; the bottom the right of the high altar. The fame mainly used for civil purposes. It was with money, and partly in kind part shows obvious signs of wear as of Campese, picturesque hamlet at probably erected by the Paduans (wheat and sulphur). Typical of his for years visitors have rubbed their the entrance of the Valsugana, is around 1315, midway between the style, an essential component of the hands on it before making the sign particularly linked to his presence two castles as a strategic point for painting is the landscape, the classic of the cross. As a result of the here. The beauty and wholesomeness the defence of the new and old view of Bassano enlivened by scenes Napoleonic suppressions the convent of the location turned the convent access points to the town. The tower of everyday life, with its towers in was closed in 1810, then in 1823 it into a haven of peace for the has a pyramidal trunk, 40 metres the distance and with the Grappa was given in perpetual usufruct to religious in search of a retreat; on high and 14 metres wide; it is higher massif in the background. The artist the Capuchin Monks. The monks are the other hand its secludedness, than the church of St Francis placed the episode of St Augustine still present and very active in the especially during the period of the complex and consequently a perfect and Christ Child, taken from The life of the town, and they continue Lutheran schism, transformed it into control point. The tower was recently Golden Legend, in the middle of the to make the convent one of the a place of internment for monks restored and it is now possible to Brenta river, surrounded by sailing main spiritual religious centres of suspected of having unorthodox climb to the top and enjoy a boats. Bassano. By appointment, tourists sympathies. magnificent view of Bassano. Along can visit the large collection of the climb to the top, the history of apothecary’s pots and a collection of the tower and the town are narrated archaeological relics discovered by through a series of illustrative panels the monks within the convent area. and photos.

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24 25 Grapperia Nardini The Poli MAROSTICA THE HILLS OF Grappa Museum BASSANO

Since 1779 the Grapperia Nardini is In 1898 GioBatta Poli, who produced A medieval town dating from the Bassano is situated at the foot of located at the entrance of the Ponte straw hats, decided to follow his period (14th century); the Mount Grappa, but it is surrounded Vecchio (Old Bridge) and it means greatest passion: grappa. original town wall with its merlons by colourful and poetic hills, perfect History and Tradition. Inside, since So, in that year he built a small still, and towers still climbs the hill from for long walks along the endless then nothing has changed and time put it up on a small cart and, going the lower castle to the upper castle, mule tracks and for carefree days in seems to stop, showing that for the door to door through the village, from where you have an impressive the midst of nature. In recent years Nardini Family memory is very started to distil grape pomaces. From panorama. Marostica is otherwise locations providing refreshment and important. this year on, Family Poli dedicates its known as the “Chess Town” because overnight accommodation have life to distillates. of its Chessboard Square set out proliferated in these hills and have LE BOLLE DI NARDINI In 1993 the idea of a Grappa right in front of the lower castle. consequently made the area even To celebrate 225 years of activity, Museum came out, strongly wanted According to legend two young more accessible to visitors who wish the Nardini Family addressed itself by Jacopo Poli, set up inside a ‘400 noblemen, Rinaldo d’Angarano and to enjoy the peace and beauty of to the Lithuanian-origin architect noble palace in front of the famous Vieri da Vallonara, were both in love nature. Jacopo Dal Ponte loved to Massimiliano Fuksas to create a new wooden bridge “Ponte Vecchio”. with the beautiful Lionora, daughter wander around these hills; he auditorium and space for research. In a small but suggestive area, inside of Taddeo Parisio, Lord of Marostica absorbed the colours and the

For this structure, the architect the Museum it is possible to follow Castle. The Lord forbade the two atmosphere and the views from the imagined two elliptic glass spaces. an interesting educational tour in suitors to fight a duel, but ordered hills, and expressed them in the The structures, called “Bolle” two rooms: in the first you discover them to ‘fight it out’ in a game of landscapes of his paintings. Ancient (bubbles), represent two alembics the distillation origin with chess; the winner would wed the fair hamlets and churches enveloped in soflty floating in the air. The “Bolle” documents and instruments, in the Lionora but the loser would also join silence, aristocratic and warm are supported and joined by one second, thanks to copper stills and the family by marrying her younger taverns give the visitor an diagonal steel structure and white illustrations, you can feel the real sister, Oldrada. The event is re- understanding of the history and “paws” which seem to sink into a distillation process atmosphere, and enacted on the huge Chessboard in culture of the people of Bassano, water veil hiding the auditorium the reasons why it is considered an the square every two years (even who love to maintain the underground. antique and modern art at the same years) and attracts thousands of genuineness and hospitality which It was a bet to insert such an time. visitors from all around the world. have always been their architectural project into a medieval That is possible because the museum The lavish period costumes, the distinguishing characteristics. town contest; at the time we can provides specific multimedial colourful parades, the multicoloured As well as their famous cherries, the surely assert to have succeeded in equipment which creates a friendly gonfalons are all reproduced exactly hills of Bassano are also gaining matching future forms and atmosphere full of history and as they were at the time of the respect for their oil and wine landscape of a strong historical elegance. In addition to the museum, original chess game, and the chess production thanks to the enthusiasm identity. Looking at the “Bolle” is it is possible to visit also the Poli moves are still announced in the and professionalism of a few always astonishing, their forms and distillery, located in , 12 km ancient language of the Republic of devoted producers. light are every time exciting. from Bassano direction Vicenza. Venice. Over 550 people take part in the event and the game lasts The Nardini’s “Bolle” are situated 3 roughly 2 hours. km from Bassano del Grappa Marostica is also renowned for its historical centre, direction Padua, cherries and its Spring festival held after the hospital, on the right side. to celebrate its most famous product.

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MOUNT VALSUGANA CERAMICS BASSANO’S GRAPPA ASPARAGUS

“Mount Grappa you are my The Brenta river winds its way along Bassano and nearby became The symbols of the town of Bassano homeland …” says the famous refrain this valley, which is full of surprise, a famous throughout Europe for their are the bridge, grappa, ceramics and of an Alpini song. And the people of wealth of picturesque views and prestigious production of ceramics in its highly regarded white turion. Bassano still become emotional fascinating landscapes, of ancient the 16th and 17th centuries. Thanks to Cultivation of the asparagus in Bassano every time they hear these words. legends and age-old traditions. It the local clay and white earth began back in the 19th century, and Grappa is a massif situated between offers endless opportunities for deposits, the Brenta river, which today it is known throughout the world the Brenta and the Piave rivers, with entertainment. Studded with drove the mills used for crushing the for its distinguishing features: its milky its peak reaching a height of 1775 m. steeped in history, such as Pove, quartz and calcium carbonate, the white colouring, its straight fat stalk The main road starts at Romano Campolongo, Oliero, , San great spirit of enterprise which and the absence of stringy fibres. d’Ezzelino, just a few kilometres Nazario, , , already distinguished the inhabitants The vegetable was selected and from the centre of Bassano, and is each of which has its own particular of the area, some of the biggest developed over time, aided by the called Cadorna Highway in memory attractions. Attractions ranging from names in the ceramics world, such ideal climate of the area. During the of General Francesco Cadorna who sports, such as canoeing on the as Manardi and Antonibon, moved asparagus season, which runs from built it in 1916-17. The Victor rapids of the Brenta, to the religious, into the area. The light majolica April through May, a number of Emmanuel III tunnel bears witness to such as the quinquennial biblical ware with its white milky glaze, events take place in the town and its

the heroism of these lands – it procession which has been re- produced by Manardi, is particularly surrounding areas including festivals penetrates beneath the peak for enacted through the streets of Pove well known. The history of ceramics and gourmet exhibitions, and a almost one and a half kilometres, since medieval times; from the in the area is expertly portrayed by competition for the most beautiful before joining a five-kilometre artistic, contained in the two extensive collections, one bunch of asparagus, which is judged stretch with a series of secondary Stonemason Museum in Pove, to the housed in Palazzo Sturm in Bassano, during the festivities held in the branch offs. The Military Memorial historical, such as the Brenta Canal and the other in the Civic Museum town centre. stands on the peak (12,615 Italian Museum in Valstagna or the Carpané of Ceramics, in Nove. The production The words of Emanuele Zuccato, the fallen soldiers, 10,322 of whom are Tobacco Museum in San Nazario. The of ceramics is still a thriving activity pharmacist from Vicenza, set down unknown), surmounted by General park and the caves of Oliero are and is now protected by a quality in the local dialect express the Giardino’s tomb and the chapel of fascinating, as are Covolo del label; there are currently over 400 importance of the asparagus for the Our Lady of Mount Grappa, Butistone and the Calà del Sasso, a workshops employing almost 3,000 people of Bassano: consecrated in 1901 by the Patriarch terrace built in the 15th century with workers, including entrepreneurs and “Bassano is famous of Venice, Giuseppe Sarto, the future 4,444 steps leading from Valstagna artists-handicraftsmen, whose for its bridge, St Pius X. For the great and to the Asiago Plateau. imagination and skill remain a for ceramics courageous feats carried out on this fascinating experience for the grappa and Mount Grappa, mountain, the entire area above onlooker. and for the glory 1700 m has been declared a national given to it by the Dal Ponte family. monument and sacred zone. But another glory (you’ll be sorry if you miss out!) is its asparagus: the best in the world! And when they’re served, with hard boiled eggs arranged like a crown around them in a soup plate, they turn a poor man into a rich man”.

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GRAPPA ITINERARY THE VILLAS CAR MUSEUM J. DAL PONTE

An ancient proverb says: “Grappa is Next to Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, The Bassano territory abounds in The Car Museum “Bonfanti-VIMAR” lead in the morning, silver at noon, among the great names in sixteenth- examples of villas. Bianchi- was founded in 1991 by a small gold in the evening”. Grappa was century art, shines the name of Michiel (can only be visited externally) group of members of the famous once produced by local farmers and Jacopo Dal Ponte, one of the most is located on Campesana Highway, the “Circolo Veneto Automoto d’Epoca”. used for medicinal purposes and as a humane and complex artists in the road that stretches from the Ponte This club, set up in Bassano in 1961, disinfectant. Even though, at some history of that art period. Son of a Vecchio to Campese, on the right bank today is the second oldest one in point in time, the Veneto Republic minor artist, Francesco Bassano Il of the Brenta river. The villa was Italy. It is the only european museum instituted an obligatory distillers’ Vecchio, Jacopo (approx.1510 -1592) constructed on the will of Giacomo which organizes thematic exhibitions licence, illegal production continued studied in Venice but soon found Angarano in 1548 from the design by every six months. As a matter of and over the centuries the that his homeland was the true A. Palladio, but he only managed to fact, in spring and autumn they distillation process became so inspiration for his art. His art complete the barns. In the 18th century propose new and stimulating refined that it eventually yielded a conveys his love of nature, his the Venetian Domenico Margutti themes, regarding various aspects product that has become world- sensitivity towards every-day life, of completed the central structure for the such as tech, sport, society. famous. The product is so well which he manages to capture the Gradenigo family, but with a different The Car Museum “Bonfanti-VIMAR” known that often tourists visiting most poetic and fascinating aspects; design. The end result is a villa which imposes itself for its dynamism and

Bassano del Grappa assume that the his art is concerned with the subtle is both heterogeneous yet harmonious for its style, not limited to the name of the town actually derives play of light and colour yet at the and the park at the back helps innovative exhibitions, but open to from the name of the spirit. The same time expresses simply the most maintain the villa’s charming events and debates, so becoming a most famous ‘grapperia’ (grappa complex religious mysteries. Dal atmosphere of secludedness. Fields meeting point for sector tasting bars) are clustered around Ponte’s greatness and the surround the villa, just as Giacomo personalities. the Ponte Vecchio, whereas the development of his art over the Angarano desired and which was a distilleries are located on the outside years can be experienced through common characteristic of the noble The museum is located 5 km from of town. Two of the most interesting the vast collection of his works residences of the Veneto region. Bassano del Grappa, direction Treviso, grappa-related attractions include housed in the civic museum. For a Arriving from Padua, before actually in Romano d’Ezzelino. the Grapperia Nardini, which is listed more complete overview of his art entering the town, you find the Villa as one of the hundred historical inns many examples can be viewed in Rezzonico-Borella on the left, which of Italy, and Grapperia Poli’s grappa places other than the museum, such was built between 1691 and 1713 by museum, which offers a fascinating as in the Church of the Holy Trinity an unknown architect who was surely voyage through the world and in Bassano, the Church of St Anthony greatly influenced by the architectonic aromas of grappa. in Marostica, the parish churches in conceptions of Baldassarre Longhena. , , Pove, Borso, the The four towers and the oratory of St See points 24 and 25. frescoes in the church of , John the Baptist belong to another in and in , on the great Venetian architect, Giorgio Asiago Plateau. Massari, who worked on the buildings from 1733 onwards. The painting “Jupiter striking the Titans with lightning” by Giambattista Volpato can be found here as well as four large symbolic paintings, including Antonio Canova’s embodiment of Faith on the ground floor; Canova was a frequent visitor to the villa and an admirer of the ornate stuccoes, which adorned the interior of the villa. Other interesting villas in the area include Villa Morosini Cappello in Cartigliano, Villa Negri Piovene in Mussolente, in Romano d’Ezzelino, Villa Comello in Rossano, and Villa Dolfin Publishing coordination: Boldù in Rosà. Consorzio Vicenza è

T OWN OF F INE A RTS W ELCOME TO B ASSANO DEL G RAPPA

Province of Vicenza IAT Bassano del Grappa (Tourist Information Office) Largo Corona d’Italia, 35 - 36061 Bassano del Grappa (VI) Tel. +39 0424.524351 - 525065 - Fax +39 0424.525301 [email protected]

Convention and Visitor Bureau Vicenza è Via E. Fermi, 134 - 36100 Vicenza Tel. +39 0444.994770 - Fax +39 0444.994779 [email protected] - www.vicenzae.org

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