itinerari: the walled cities

From the fifteenth century, Venice expanded and dominated for long the Mainland, that provided food and became faithfull. In several cities, monuments and columns decorated with stone lions witness.

Before being submitted to the Republic of the Serenissima, Veneto was a central border region: the Ezzelini and Scaligeri faced each other as rivals and the cities of Vicenza, Treviso and Padua were to each others.

In their defense, these municipalities built castles that become veritable walled fortresses.

Some of them not only still exist, but are almost intact. The town of Bassano, Marostica, Castelfranco, and Cittadella, which were once dominated by several landlords, have some aspects in common.

Bassano del Grappa is the capital of the Italian Alpini.The famous wooden bridge, erected on the river in 1571 and rebuilt after The War World is its symbol. Here, even during the hottest summers, a breeze always follows the valley of the Brenta, refreshing the walks of Bassanesi.

At sunset, enjoy the view from the palace Sturm or from the shores of the right bank of the river - both overlooking the bridge - the Ponte and the aperitif at the "Taverna al Ponte", with its lovely wooden balcony. The basement of this building host the Museo degli Alpini, a small but touching structure dedicated to the Great War and to the harsh lives of their heroes of the mountains.

From the bridge you can enjoy a splendid view of the Old Town, of the castle of Ezzelini and of the walls. Enter the old city, where the narrow streets climb up to the citadel. The hours of access to the path that makes the rounds of the walls may vary depending on the season.

The centre of Bassano is formed by a nice up and down the steep streets and two main squares: Piazza Libertà and Piazza Garibaldi. Beside it, is the church of San Francesco, with its charming medieval cloister. In one corner, the entrance to the Civic Museum, which offers refuge to many frescoes by Jacopo da Ponte, one of the greatest Venetian painters of the sixteenth century.

Typical products are the grappa and white asparagus.

It just takes twenty minutes to reach Marostica. The road winds along the verdant foothills, covered with olive groves, cypress trees, conifers, fruit trees and vineyards.

The arrival in Marostica is spectacular.

This medieval town has preserved intact the perimeter of its walls that enclose the old city and rise along the steep slope of the hill above it.

A detour to south of Bassano and Marostica takes you to the heart of the Veneto plain, perhaps less glamorous, but where two cities more than just preserve vestiges.

Founded in the twelfth and thirteenth century as a fortified towns of Treviso and Padua, Castelfranco Veneto and Cittadella are separated by about fifteen kilometres. Their military vocation (which was never much applied) left them a dowry imposing walls perfectly preserved.

Cittadella: this walled city, one of the best preserved in Europe, was fortified in 1220. It was the subject of disputes between Scaliger and Carrara, remaining finally domain of the latter. In 1406 moved to Venice, but after the rebellion to Venice by Pandolfo Malatesta, who ruled in 1508, suffered repeatedly attacked by the imperial troops, until the peace of 1516.

The ancient city is elliptical and is surrounded by walls punctuated by thirty-two towers and four gates. E 'can climb walls, walk and walk the perimeter walk. In the old town, visit the Teatro Sociale, a beautiful room nineteenth-century classical style.

The fortified town of Castelfranco was founded in 1199 as a defensive bulwark of the city of Treviso. The plant is square with four corner towers.

Miss a visit to the eighteenth-century Cathedral of Castelfranco Veneto, in which are preserved priceless works of art, including an altarpiece by Giorgione. Charming also Academic Theater of the eighteenth century, Church St. James, and many villas and palaces such as Palazzo Ricci of Azzoni Avogadro and Colonna Preti. Who loves nature and botany, will delight in visiting the beautiful park, Castelfranco, one of the most beautiful and romantic of all the Veneto. Rich in statues, reliefs artificial soil, an artificial lake, and the 'arena' (Old Stables). The second week of September takes place the traditional Palio and medieval fair.

The walls bound up two castles which arose in defence of citizens: one at the entrance of the city between the two main gates, the second endowed with undoubted charm, a hundred feet above the village. A steep footpath joins the forts.

The main square - Piazza Castello - is the stage for a show that happens every two years "The game of chess" (this year scheduled for September 10 to 12). This representation is played on a giant chessboard, with real characters and is reminiscent of that played in 1454 between two gentlemen who challenged to reach a noblewoman’s heart.

The Lower Castle, which dominates the square, is now the City Hall and inside you can admire Hall Firearms, the Governor’s and Hall Council.

Marostica is famous for its antique markets which is held every first Sunday of the month, and the feast of cherries: those produced here are indeed very tasty.