Ponte degli Alpini Monumento Nazionale

The first evidence of the Bassano bridge dates back to 1124 and 1209. During this time it was necessary to build a bridge that connected the two banks of the Brenta for economic, social and military reasons. Over the centuries it was repeatedly damaged and destroyed by the waters of the river and by men. Between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries the bridge was the subject of contention with the Vicentini. In 1450 the bridge was rebuilt but already at the end of the century it was again in poor condition. In 1510 it was burned by the retreating French army and was rebuilt only in 1522. In 1524 it was rebuilt in stone and in 1531 in wood. The latter was overwhelmed by a flood in 1567, the project of the next bridge was entrusted to Andrea Palladio. Its bridge resisted until the mid-eighteenth century. Once again destroyed by the river's waters, it was rebuilt in 1750 by Bartolomeo Ferracina. From 1796 to 1813 the district of Bassano and the Veneto territory were routed and sacked during six military campaigns. During the last two (1809, 1813) the bridge was damaged and destroyed. Rebuilt between 1819 and 1821, it resisted until 1945 when it was bombed by the allies to damage the traffic of the Germans. The last intervention was carried out by the Alpini in 1948. During the flood of 1966 it was damaged and in the following years it was dismantled and strengthened. Since 1990, consolidation and restoration works are periodically underway.