The symbol of the town of Bassano del Grappa is the stunning bridge over the River Brenta. The original bridge was designed in 1569 by Andrea Palladio to replace an old wooden bridge.
The bridge was damaged and restored many times until it was destroyed in WWII. Always a favourite of the Alpini, the famous Alpine Soldiers, it was completely rebuilt after the war. They took up a private collection to enable the bridge to be brought back to life.
When we were there earlier this year it was covered in scaffolding for some much needed renovation, but it didn’t take away too much from the impressive structure.
It is now a walking bridge and the views from the bridge up and down the river are spectacular.
Looking down towards the river reveals the interesting timber foundations.
The bridge is very popular with visitors.
At the entrance on the other side is a large painting of an Alpine soldier.
Bassano del Grappa is a delightful town sitting in the foothills of the Venetian Alps. I will show you more of the town in the next post.
what a beautiful romantic bridge . Enjoyed the story, so far – bring on the rest of the story. thanks
By: Dianne Cant on July 22, 2017
at 2:49 am
Bassano del Grappa is lovely. We were delighted with our visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 24, 2017
at 9:33 pm
Great photos. Hoping to explore Veneto someday
By: Ishita on July 22, 2017
at 4:11 am
There are some lovely towns in the area. We want to explore more.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 24, 2017
at 9:35 pm
Love Bassano del Grappo. A long time GC friend was an Alpini.
By: Dianne Perrin on July 22, 2017
at 4:18 am
Sorry….Alpino.
By: Dianne Perrin on July 22, 2017
at 4:22 am
They are very well respected in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 24, 2017
at 9:34 pm
This town is gorgeous Debra. I’m sussing out towns like this, in hopes that one day I could own my own little apartment in Italy to vacate to once a year. That’s my dream…. 😉
By: amindfultravellerblog on July 22, 2017
at 4:21 am
Bassano del Grappa is a lovely town. It is good size, not too big or small, with lots to see and do.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 24, 2017
at 9:23 pm
👍🏼
By: amindfultravellerblog on July 24, 2017
at 9:45 pm
What a lovely place, Debra! Another one to fall in love wiith 🙂 🙂
By: restlessjo on July 22, 2017
at 7:07 am
There is an endless supply in Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 24, 2017
at 9:23 pm
I know 🙂
By: restlessjo on July 24, 2017
at 9:25 pm
A lovely place! Another one to put on my list.
By: janetknight57 on July 22, 2017
at 10:42 am
We really liked it and would definitely return.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 24, 2017
at 9:24 pm
What a great place, lovely photos
By: Sue on July 22, 2017
at 11:59 am
Thank you, it was easy to take good photos here.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 24, 2017
at 9:24 pm
😀
By: Sue on July 25, 2017
at 7:39 am
Are there many covered bridges in Italy?
By: Mallee Stanley on July 22, 2017
at 3:24 pm
There are 2 in Venice, the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto, in Florence the Ponte Vecchio. Verona there is Castel Vecchio and there is one in Liguria and Aosta. These are the well known ones, but there are surely more. The one in Bassano del Grappa is quite different from the others.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 24, 2017
at 9:32 pm
Special place for our family. Our grandfather crossed this bridge during WWI as a young interpreter with the Italian Army. https://seeingandsavoringitaly.wordpress.com/2015/05/26/the-bridge-at-bassano/
By: Pamela Marasco on July 22, 2017
at 5:24 pm
I could imagine troops in the town. I hate to think of the loss of life in wars.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 24, 2017
at 9:44 pm
There is a famous alpini song about the bridge “sul ponte di bassano”.
By: Francis on July 22, 2017
at 9:33 pm
I will have to keep an ear out for it.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 24, 2017
at 9:45 pm
A very interesting story and a bridge worth visiting. I found this which will give some additional details https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_Vecchio_(Bassano_del_Grappa)
By: Mulino Dominillo on July 23, 2017
at 5:19 am
The bridge is great and the town was a lot of fun.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 24, 2017
at 9:51 pm
And the Alpini singing the song mentioned by Francis https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IYp9ZXc3esA
By: Mulino Dominillo on July 23, 2017
at 5:22 am
Thank you.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 24, 2017
at 9:52 pm
Visited several years ago and just loved it, too. So much history charm. The Alpini museum is fascinating. Of course we did a grappa tasting which was wonderful as well.
Your post motivates me to return!
By: PostcardZ from Victoria on July 24, 2017
at 4:19 pm
We didn’t go to the museum, a good reason to return.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 24, 2017
at 9:46 pm
Far from stunning, hope it does not crash while you are on it. They have had centuries to fix the thing.
By: allard777 on July 24, 2017
at 6:26 pm
You clearly didn’t read the post. It was completely rebuilt after being destroyed in WWII. We felt quite safe walking across it and I, and many others, think it is beautiful.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 24, 2017
at 9:18 pm