Bassano del Grappa is a vibrant cultural city with a long tradition of commerce and craftsmanship. Surrounded by gentle hills and blessed with a mild climate, the town celebrates its agricultural heritage through world-renowned products such as asparagus, the famous grappa (the local spirit), olives and wine. As well as for its famous Palladian bridge, Bassano del Grappa is also known for its important museums, Venetian villas, sumptuous palaces, and its historic association with the Alpini (Italy’s mountain infantry).

Although there is clear evidence of a Roman presence in the area, the earliest official document mentioning Bassano del Grappa dates back to 998 AD. The city was surrounded by three walls: the first, built in the first half of the 10th century, included only the castle; the second, constructed by the Ezzelini family in the 13th century, was intended to defend the growing village; and the third, which is still partially intact, was built by Duke Gian Galeazzo Visconti at the end of the 14th century. Over the following centuries, the city became a cultural and artistic centre. In the 16th century, Jacopo Dal Ponte, one of the great masters of the Venetian school, emerged as a talented painter. Bassano and its surroundings also became one of the European capitals of ceramics and porcelain during the 16th and 17th centuries.