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SWISS PROFESSIONAL DANCE SPORT COUNCIL <strong>2009</strong><br />
<strong>2009</strong> BASSANO OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS<br />
BASSANO OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS<br />
(Report and Photo’s By Andrew Miller)<br />
Bassano del Grappa, Piazza Libertà<br />
As this is the second time that I have been invited to attend the Bassano Open I thought it<br />
would be good to look into the History of this beautiful city at the base of the Italian Alps.<br />
The city of Bassano was founded in the 2nd century BC by a Roman called Bassianus, hence<br />
the name, as an agricultural estate.<br />
The first news of the existence of the medieval city dates from 998, while the Castle is<br />
mentioned first in 1150. In 1175 Bassano was conquered by Vicenza, but the city maintained<br />
a semi-autonomous status.In 1368 it was acquired by the Viscount of Milan, and in 1404, by<br />
the Republic of Venice. The city became home to a flourishing industry producing wool, silk,<br />
iron and copper, but mainly ceramics.<br />
During the French Revolution the city was the scene of the Battle of Bassano. In 1815 it was<br />
included into the Kingdom of Lombardy - Venetia, and became part of the unified country<br />
now known as Italy in 1866.<br />
The original name of the town was Bassano Veneto. After the terrible battles on Mount<br />
Grappa in WWI , where thousands of soldiers lost their lives, a decision was made to change<br />
the name of the town. In 1928, it was changed to Bassano del Grappa, meaning Bassano of<br />
Mount Grappa, as a memorial to the soldiers killed.During World War 1 Bassano was at the<br />
front of the action, and all industrial activities were halted.<br />
In World War ll, after the armastis with Italy, the city was invaded by German troops, who<br />
killed or deported many of the inhabitants.<br />
The symbol of the town is the covered wooden pontoon bridge , which was designed by the<br />
architect Andrea Palladio in 1569. The bridge was destroyed many times, the last time during<br />
WWII. The Alpine soldiers have always revered the wooden bridge and Bassano del Grappa.<br />
After the destruction of the bridge, they took up a private collection and had the bridge<br />
completely rebuilt.<br />
Bridge of the Alpini.<br />
7. AUSGABE SEITE 2
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