The Rough Guide to Venice and the Veneto

century mistakes. It’s better known for its manufacturing and produce, and
for the events of the two world wars (see p.366-367), than for any outstanding
architecture or monuments, but its situation in the lee of the imposing
Monte Grappa (1775m), with the Dolomites beyond, is impressive enough.
For centuries a major producer of ceramics and wrought iron, Bassano is
also renowned for its grappa distilleries and delicacies such as porcini (dried
mushrooms), white asparagus and honey.
Trains run from Venice to Bassano fourteen times daily; the journey takes
an hour. Buses, all of which run from Piazzale Trento, connect with Masèr
(9 daily), Possagno (9 daily), Maróstica (roughly every 30min), Ásolo (9 daily)
and Vicenza (at least hourly).
The Town
Almost all of Bassano’s sights lie between the Brenta and the train station; go
much further in either direction and you’ll quickly come to recently developed
suburbs. Walking away from the station, the orbital Viale delle Fosse
stands between you and the town centre, following the line of the fourteenthcentury
outer walls. Cross the road, turn right then left to get to Via Da
Ponte, which forms a main axis through the centre; the statue is of Jacopo Da
Ponte, leader of the dynasty of Renaissance painters more commonly known
simply as the Bassano family.
the northern veneto Bassano del Grappa
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