It was convenient to have lunch at the restaurant situated a few metres below the summit. On the walls of the restaurant are photographs taken during the war of the soldiers working and fighting on Monte Grappa. We left at 1500 hours and slowly descended admiring the panoramic views. We stopped at an Italian observation position signposted for the 100th anniversary commemorations, B1’. At a height of about 1,000-metres, the limit of the tree line ‘Alsito we descended down a steep pine forest pathway and now part of a hikers trail which was not easy to traverse but we were rewarded as a trench system came in view. The Italians had utilised the natural rugged outcrop of rock, facing northward and fortified it. Re-joining the main road we on to Bassano del Grappa. There we walked through an old city gate to view a tree lined avenue, the Viale de Martini (Martyrs Avenue) by the River Brenta. The trees had been used by the Fascists to hang 31 partisans on the 20th September, 1944. Around each tree is a stylised memorial cross onto which is painted the outline of a hangman’s noose. Attached to the cross is a named photograph of the partisan with a posy of fresh flowers beneath. On the inner wall of the gateway entrance is a memorial tablet inscribed with the names of these partisans and another 16 who were shot. We then walked on through this beautiful city to a wooden covered bridge the Ponte degli Alpini, spanning the River Brenta. The bridge was originally designed by Andrea Palladio in 1569. Destroyed on several occasions over the succeeding centuries the Ponte Vecchio as it was then known, was severely damaged during the Second World War. It was rebuilt in 1948 by the Alpini, hence it is now known as the Ponte deli Alpini and on the far side of the bridge is a small Alpini museum. Currently the bridge is being refurbished. Since 1779 grappa has been distilled in Bassano and the Poli Grappa Museum is situated in the town. An enjoyable hour spent in Bassano before we returned to Vicenza completing another superb day of our tour.
It was convenient to have lunch at the restaurant situated a few metres below the summit. On the walls of the restaurant are photographs taken during the war of the soldiers working and fighting on Monte Grappa. We left at 1500 hours and slowly descended admiring the panoramic views. We stopped at an Italian observation position signposted for the 100th anniversary commemorations, ‘Alsito B1’. At a height of about 1,000-metres, the limit of the tree line we descended down a steep pine forest pathway and now part of a hikers trail which was not easy to traverse but we were rewarded as a trench system came in view. The Italians had utilised the natural rugged outcrop of rock, facing northward and fortified it. Re-joining the main road we on to Bassano del Grappa. There we walked through an old city gate to view a tree lined avenue, the Viale de Martini (Martyrs Avenue) by the River Brenta. The trees had been used by the Fascists to hang 31 partisans on the 20th September, 1944. Around each tree is a stylised memorial cross onto which is painted the outline of a hangman’s noose. Attached to the cross is a named photograph of the partisan with a posy of fresh flowers beneath. On the inner wall of the gateway entrance is a memorial tablet inscribed with the names of these partisans and another 16 who were shot. We then walked on through this beautiful city to a wooden covered bridge the Ponte degli Alpini, spanning the River Brenta. The bridge was originally designed by Andrea Palladio in 1569. Destroyed on several occasions over the succeeding centuries the Ponte Vecchio as it was then known, was severely damaged during the Second World War. It was rebuilt in 1948 by the Alpini, hence it is now known as the Ponte deli Alpini and on the far side of the bridge is a small Alpini museum. Currently the bridge is being refurbished. Since 1779 grappa has been distilled in Bassano and the Poli Grappa Museum is situated in the town. An enjoyable hour spent in Bassano before we returned to Vicenza completing another superb day of our tour.
Asiago-Battlefield-Tour-Report-May-2017.docx