Asolo is a town and comune in the Veneto Region of Northern Italy. It is known as "The Pearl", and also as "The City of a Hundred Horizons" for its mountain settings.
Some of the sights Include:
Remains of an amphitheater and of an aqueduct; Rocca (castle, late 12th-early 13th centuries); Castle of Caterina Cornaro, now home to the Eleanor Duse theatre; Palazzo della Ragione, housing the city's museum; The Cathedral, built in 1747, houses the Assunta altarpiece .
Asolo is often defined as one of the most evocative historical centers in Italy. Asolo is known for its architectural sights and is famous also for some characters who were fascinated by its originality. What fascinates most right from the start in Asolo, is the aristocratic atmosphere you can breathe through its alleys, in the squares and cafés. A brief walk soon leads you to the historical center.
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| Aerial View of Asolo |
View from Rocca Castle high above the city
Getting to Rocca Castle above Asolo is great exercise
Bassano del Grappa
Bassano del Grappa is a very pleasant town, and it is not just about Grappa. It is easy to walk and most of the town is free of cars. The Brenta River is beautiful and flows under the famous wooden bridge, Ponte degli Alpini. There are good photo ops from the bridge along the river. You should take advantage, however of the place where Grappa was "invented". There are tasting rooms and retail shops for purchasing the Italians' favorite digestive (digestivo). Grappa has grown in popularity outside of Italy and there is now grappa made from many grape varieties and some are even flavored like the seasonal licorice grappa. Give it a try!
In the heart of the town, opposite the historic Ponte degli Alpini, in the old "Palazzo delle Teste", is the Poli Grappa Museum.The Poli Grappa Museum, is the result of a long and passionate desire of the Poli family. The Museum was created by the Family in appreciation of Grappa. The Museum consists of five instructional rooms and visits are self-guided. Well worth seeing to appreciate what grappa is all about, followed by a tasting. Just ask me or my son!!!
Other points of interest:
- The Cathedral built around the year 1000 but renovated in 1417. It has works by artists Leandro da Bassano, Ottavio Marinali and others.
- The church of St. John the Baptist, built in the 14th century and restored in the 18th century.
- The Town Museum, with ancient archaeological remains, works by Antonio Canova and the Tiepolos, and drawings by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Spagnoletto, Albrecht Dürer and Rembrandt, all renown artists.
- The wooden covered Bridge, or Ponte degli Alpini, on the Brenta River, designed in 1569 by the architect Andrea Palladio to replace a pre-existing construction existing at least from 1209. The bridge was destroyed in 1748, and was rebuilt three years later. The Nardini tavern on the bridge, is unchanged since 1779!
- The Palazzo del Municipio (Town Hall), erected from 1404. It has a noteworthy loggia and a fresco attributed to Jacopo da Bassano..
- The Nardini Grappa Factory, an architectural marvel, just outside of the old town
Nardini Grappa Factory
Postcard type photo of Ponte degli Alpini,
Along the peaceful Brenta River for good photos
Poli Grappa Distillery and Museum for your after lunch digestive
Ponte degli Alpini for crossing the Brenta river
