History of Bassano del Grappa

The town of Bassano-del-Grappa has very ancient origins, and we know it was inhabited in prehistoric times, as shown by archaeological finds and a protovillanovian necropolis (X-VIII century B.C.) discovered around St. George in Angarano.

Bassano was conquered by the Romans, who called it Bossianus.

Around the tenth century a fortress was built that was later transformed into a castle, with some houses around it - the first real core of Bassano. In early 1200 the famous 'Bridge of Bassano' was built. In the Middle Ages and up until the fifteenth century, Bassano suffered was defeated by many Italian Seignoiries: the Vicenza, the Scaligeri (Scala family from Verona), the Visconti from Milan and Padua all established their domination of Bassano at different times.

In early 1400 it was conquered by the Venetians, who ruled until the fall of the 'Serenissima'. The years of Venetian rule were, overall, prosperous for Bassano, which was embellished by numerous palaces and churches, and various manufacturing activities linked to the production of silk, ceramics and wool.

After 1600 the city entered a period of decline.

In the eighteenth century, following invasion by Napoleon, the city was ruled by the French, then after the fall of Napoleon by the Austrians (1814).

After the struggles of the Risorgimento, Bassano became part of the Kingdom of Italy (1866).