Vicenza Off The Beaten Path

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Italian named Bassano, the town has a population of 40,000, but explodes with locals most weekends and tourists also in summers. Founded in 2nd century BCE by a Roman called Bassianus, and was an agricultural estate. The medieval town was dating back to 998 and the castle is first noted as being built 1150. It struggled through takeover by the Lombards, Ventians, Austrian and then got into the war for independence/democracy in 1800's.
There are three main squares: Monte Vecchio, Liberta, and Garabaldi(melds with Liberta). The town is split by Rivera Brenta, a major flowing river. The right bank has the shops and retail for tourists. The left bank is more for the locals and the castello is at the top of the crest.
Park close to the information center and walk in using the Via J .Ponte. It leads to all the sites, and ends toward the Ponte Vecchio(bridge).

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End to end the walk form information center to the bridge is no more than 10 minutes, but take a slow pace and enjoy the structures on each side of the streets. Many palazzi are noted along the way. Piazza GArabaldi combined with Liberta is a larger square where you can just relax.
Castello Ezzinin is worth the walk to get there. Once there, do not get too disappointed. Only can walk into the first level and then only briefly,; or at least for us. The cost is 2 Euro.

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The bridge is actually a site to see. It was built in 1209m and burned three times and rebuilt. In 1524, it was built in concrete and did not last more than 3 years-who knows why? The bridge was destroyed in WWI and again rebuilt. The issue for the bridge is many other people also are standing on the bridge for the same reason. It is crowded, I am sure especially in summer tourists season.
Museo Ponte degli Alpina Howis in a bar/restaurante downstairs. It does have some artifacts and alpine flavor, but was a surprise as to its location. It is very small, and good it is free to enter through the restaurant. Grapperia Nardini is on the right bank, and also not much to see.
However, a lot of Italiano locals do come to BAssano on weekends to enjoy the splendor of it all. The streets get very crowded if you do not get there early.

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The facades are great to look at, but they are considered nort palaces anymore. None of the three main palazzi have any daily activity of home life. Palazzo CAvalli is closed and boarded up on the second floor windows, and generally run down looking. Palazzo Guistiza is a converted restaurante at the main level and the top floors are private. The Palazzo CApitano is a totally renovated building now housing the administrative offices and municipal activities of the city. I was disappointed not being able to view restored palaces inside and out.

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Built in 1411, it is a typical style of Venizia architecture. It has a bit of Bizzantine style with windows of tribolate and the lo0ggia arches in the front. The building is in need of restoration, and looks as if the whole inside may have been a storage area for quite some time. Top windows are boarded up and the door appears not to have been opened much lately.

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The walk from one end of the town to the other is only 6 long blocks. It is quiet and peaceful at this time of the year. Look into the many little inlets for adventure. The main street is Via Roma, and the other parallel street is Corso Vittoro Emannule.

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The castle was last built by the Scaligeri family in 13759 They constructed a mast and three circular walls, with reinforced 24 towers, leading back into today's town. The first fortress was from the 10th century, and cited as a defense from the Magyar invasions. many times the control changed hands and Venice took control through a battle in 1405, but it was captured back in 1439, and then regained again. What a struggle for such a small town. The town was burned in 1508 and 1515, and later sold to the Gritti family in 1696. There is 5882 Square meters
As you walk up one of the stone paths leading to the top, You can see the definite restoration under way at this time. The major restoring was in 1890 by Senator Camozzi. They have done a lot of work, but more to do, and it continues along the walls. Entry price is 5 Euro to view the castle. The ticket office is in a 3 room medieval home. The walls are 2400 meters long, and 36 feet high. Look up an be impressed.

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The visit to this town was quint and well preserved and completely walled. It is barely 24 blocks square, but has a medieval wall surrounded by a moat. On the peak of the hill is the 10th century castle with crenellated tops and 24 towers. This was a focal point for territory turf, and many battles took place around here. It was built by Count SAn Bonifacio, and the expansion was when the Scaligeri family dynasty took ownership. They built the castle on Monte Tenda in 1375, with three circular walls.
The town name comes from Swabian-Nordic name of Svevi/Suavi that invaded this area in the 7th century. The Ventians took governance in 1405. The castle was restored to its present form in 1890 by Italian Senator CAmuzzoni. The fame of today comes from the green grape that makes wine. There are 3 palaces to view along with the castle. The walls are 2400 meters long.
Information center is just outside the wall entrance on the left.