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*The garrison public affairs office translates information on local cultural events for the convenience of non-Italian speaking community members. The information contained in these slides is originally written by Italian news sources.*

**Information compiled by Laura Kreider/USAG Italy Public Affairs

VICENZA area

*SAGRE/FESTIVALS:

Marostica to hold local festival the last Sunday of October –(https://www.visitmarostica.eu/it/vivere/eventi/antica-fiera-di-san-simeone)

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The Ancient Fair of San Simeone is a cherished annual event in Marostica, held on the last Sunday of October. The week-end festival honors the town’s patron saint and serves as a Thanksgiving celebration marking the end of the agricultural season. The event features a market showcasing typical agricultural products and popular games. The highlight of the fair is the grand Tombola (bingo)in the square, a collective game with numbers “called” from a traditional stage. No event in the Veneto would be complete without its traditional cuisine. The fair features the region’s iconic goose spit, freshly prepared and served in the Piazza degli Scacchi, paired with Marzemino wine. The San Simeone Fair also includes traditional rides in Campo Marzio, enriching the festival’s diverse program. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)

EVENTS:

The Jacquard Garden in Schio, a magical place to visit until the end of the month October 19, Il Giornale di Vicenza

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Towers; caves; secret passages; water features; exotic trees and mysterious creatures: the Jacquard Garden was born to be a magical place, capable of transporting those who enter it to distant places and other eras. In 1867, architect Antonio Caregaro Negrin designed it to amaze the visitor with a journey through space and time. The visits continue until the end of October on Saturday and Sunday afternoons (from 4 to 7 p.m.), with a free guided tour at 5 p.m. The late Romantic garden was commissioned by Alessandro Rossi to offer moments of leisure to his workers, who worked in the wool mill opposite the garden. The garden bears the name of the ancient loom with which complex designs were made. An oasis of peace with many references to the Republic of Venice: arches, lace, floral Gothic motifs which, like a bridge between eras, transport the visitor from a romantic tale of the Breton cycle to a Renaissance chronicle. (Summary by Angela Balbo)

The most beautiful pumpkin patches in Vicenza and the Veneto October 10, VicenzaToday

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Dotted with thousands of pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and varieties, they have become a popular attraction during the fall season.

Close to Vicenza:

*Peretti Daniele – Dueville (Vicenza) Via Valdastico 15

At the Peretti Daniele farm in you can find a wide range of pumpkins to buy. The company not only shows pumpkins, but also offers a stand where you can purchase these vegetables and other fresh products, to bring home the flavors of autumn. Open every day in October from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; admission fee is €3.

In the Veneto region:

*Nonno Andrea’s Pumpkin village – Villorba (Treviso) Via Campagnola 72B

Located in it is the largest pumpkin patch in the Veneto and one of the most beautiful in Italy. Here you will find a corn maze, leisure corners for children with old-fashioned wooden games, areas to take cool photos and a refreshment point. Open until Oct. 31. There is an admission fee. Reservation highly recommended at https://twip.to/it/nonnoandrea/villaggio-zucche/booking

*The Pumpkin Castle – Cervarese Santa Croce, Via San Martino near Padova

It offers a unique experience with hundreds of pumpkins sprouting within the medieval walls of the Castle of San Martino della Vaneza, creating a truly unique display. Open Friday afternoons and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every weekend in October. There is an admission fee. Reservation at https://link.dice.fm/ilcastellodellezucche

*The Flover Farm pumpkin maze – Bussolengo (Verona) Via Pastrengo 14

It is an outdoor space ideal for families and children who will be able to participate in many activities such as Halloween pumpkin picking, pumpkin decoration and a corn maze. Open from Monday to Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. without reservation. Saturdays and Sundays including Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 (Italian Holiday)) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is an admission fee.

*The Pumpkins of Brenta – Fiesso d’Artico (Venice) Via Bellini 22

Located close to the Brenta River on the way to Venice, it features pumpkins, wooden games for the little ones and Halloween-themed installations to take original souvenir photos. Open in the afternoons until Oct. 31, free entry. (Summary by Angela Balbo)

Antiques market in Marostica every first Sunday of the month – October 1, VicenzaToday

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For antique lovers, collectors or simply curious people, every first Sunday of the month there is the Antiques, Used and Collectibles Market in the historic center of Marostica. Among the stalls you can find period furniture; household objects; jewelry; watches; lace; ceramics; glass; vintage clothes; artefacts from the first and second world wars; books; records; philatelic and numismatic items and other collectibles. An opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful medieval Italian cities, famous for its Chess Game. The event takes place in Piazza degli Scacchi and Viale Mazzini from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Summary by Angela Balbo) 

Ecological Sundays, every last weekend of the month – July 31, VicenzaToday

The calendar of ecological Sundays from September 2024 to April 2025 has been approved. The appointment is set for every last Sunday of the month, with the exception of March when it will be held in conjunction with the StraVicenza run March 16. The dates to mark are therefore Nov. 24; Dec. 29; Jan. 26, 2025; Feb. 23; March 16 and April 27. The city will organize environmental awareness events in the historic center, as well as in the neighborhoods, and there will be limitations on vehicular traffic. “Although they are an obligation included in the Package of extraordinary measures for the air quality of the Veneto Region, ecological Sundays are opportunities to involve citizens, associations and institutions on climate and environmental issues,” said Sara Baldinato, environment councilor. “Like last year, we therefore decided to open the season already in September with an additional Sunday compared to the mandatory ones scheduled from October to April.” (Summary by Angela Balbo)

*EXHIBITS:

The Cartier-Bresson exhibition in Rovigo, photos from a grand tour of Italy 19321973 October 20, Il Giornale di Vicenza

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Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) had a special bond with Italy, where he traveled extensively from 1932 to 1973. The “Henri Cartier-Bresson and Italy” exhibition at Palazzo Roverella in Rovigo displays 160 shots. The first section of the exhibit starts with work from 1932 when, with his friend the writer André Pieyre de Mandiargues and the painter Leonor Fini, he chose Trieste as his first stop followed by Venice; Livorno; Siena; Florence; Salerno; Matera and Ischia. Cartier-Bresson returned to Italy at the beginning of the 1950s: already famous, his shots were requested by the most important illustrated magazines in the world, among them “Life” where his photos tell the story of daily life in Rome. But his best shots are between Abruzzo and Basilicata: the town of Scanno between poverty and dignity with its women still with long black skirts; in Matera among the stones with men with cloaks and hats, scenes of daily life that become a celebration of places and tradition. The French photographer returns again in the decade between 1958-1968 and captures the impressive economic boom of Italy, a country transformed socially and culturally. And, finally, the last chapter with images of the Seventies. The exhibit goes until Jan. 28, 2025, in Rovigo. For information and tickets visit https://www.palazzoroverella.com/en/henri-cartier-bresson-2/ (Summary by Angela Balbo)

The Fall of the Rebel Angels, Bertos’ sculptures at the Gallerie d'Italia in Vicenza – October 21, VicenzaToday

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On the 25th anniversary of the Gallerie d’Italia in Vicenza, Intesa Sanpaolo opens the exhibition “The fall of the Rebel Angels. Francesco Bertos” from Oct. 11 to Feb. 9, 2025. The exhibition is the first dedicated to Francesco Bertos, one of the most singular, sought-after and celebrated artists in Venice of the first half of the eighteenth century. More than 40 works are on display from important national and international museums. The fame of Francesco Bertos derives above all from the extraordinary groups with bizarre and complex allegorical subjects, created in bronze and marble for the most important collectors of his time. The central work of the exhibition is Bertos’ masterpiece “Fall of the Rebel Angels,” a spectacular marble sculpture permanently on display in Vicenza in a dedicated room. It is carved from a single block of Carrara marble and composed of approximately 60 figures perfectly finished in every detail. The work represents the celestial combat between the army of good and that of evil, commanded by the archangel Michael and the other by Satan, as told in the Apocalypse by John. The exhibit is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Palazzo Leoni Montanari in Contrà Santa Corona 25. (Summary by Angela Balbo)

Disney’s magic comes to Padova October 3, Il Mattino di Padova

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PADOVA - The Centro Culturale Altinate San Gaetano in Padova is hosting an immersive exhibition celebrating the magic behind Disney’s timeless narratives. This captivating showcase, previously acclaimed in Milan, Rome and Genoa, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creative journey that has enchanted generations of audiences worldwide. Curated by the Walt Disney Animation Research Library and featuring original works from the Disney archives, the exhibition delves into the history of Walt Disney Animation Studios and the beloved characters that have captured hearts. The exhibition also includes an interactive area designed for young visitors, featuring educational games, puzzles and drawing activities. Children can engage with their favorite characters, create their own masterpieces and take home lasting memories. It runs until Feb. 25, 2025. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)

Discover masters of modern art at Padova exhibit October 3, Il Mattino di Padova

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PADOVA - Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, Miro, Modigliani, Signac, Bonnard, Vuillard, Rouault, Delaunay, Arp, Balthus. And again Cocteau, Artaud, Klossowski and Michaux. These are just some of the protagonists of the exhibition, which will be hosted from Oct. 5 to Jan. 12, 2025, at Palazzo Zabarella in Padova. The museum continues to excel in international partnership with important world-renowned art institutions. This is the turn of the masterpieces from the Musée de Grenoble, a rich collection of drawings that have profoundly renewed the vision and representation of reality in the first half of the 20th century. On display are the great protagonists of the post-impressionist avant-gardes developed before and after the war, from neo-impressionism to fauve expressionism, from cubism to the return to order, from Dadaist rebellion to surrealist dream and abstraction. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)

Lego model of the Teatro Olimpico on display until mid-December – September 20, City of Vicenza website

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From now until mid-December, a reproduction of the theater created by Dario Alessio with 110,000 Lego pieces will welcome visitors at the entrance of the theater. The model reproduces the proscenium, the steps but also the back, an area less accessible and not open to everyone. The model is made on a scale of 1 to 43. The creator is 47-year-old Dario Alessio from Cittadella, employee of a company specializing in plastic materials. He spent a total of 600 hours of work on the design, calculations and composition, not using any type of computer technology. The reproduction is 165 centimeters long, 120 wide and 60 high, weighing over 80 kilograms. The model shows all the main architectural details, including the columns, the wooden floor and the 95 statues.

Local photographer showcases “C-at Work” exhibit in VicenzaAugust 6, Il Giornale di Vicenza

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Italian photographer Marianna Zampieri has been capturing images of cats in various work environments for her project called “C-at Work.” The name is a play on words, derived from the expression “men at work,” and is meant to showcase the lives of cats in different work settings. Zampieri began the project in 2016 and has since discovered a wide range of work environments where cats live. She emphasizes that in many cases, the cats themselves have chosen these environments, even if they may appear unsuitable to humans. The project includes 50 black-and-white photos and is currently being exhibited at the Venezia pastry shop on Contrà Pescaria in downtown Vicenza. The exhibition also features QR codes, which reveal more about the life of each cat photographed. These images not only capture the cats in different work settings but also tell cheerful and unique stories of their lives. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)

Exhibition to showcase engaging century of Venice Grand Hotel – August 4, Il Giornale di Vicenza

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The exhibition “A Century of Luxury, Power, and Stars on the Grand Canal” celebrates the rich history of the Grand Hotel Venezia, a site of notable events and illustrious guests. From political figures like King Victor Emmanuel II and Hitler, to celebrities like Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman, the renowned Grand Hotel Venezia hosted royalty; aristocrats; heads of state; stars and celebrities, as well as writers and artists. Located in the Palazzo Flangini Fini, now the seat of the Veneto Regional Council, the hotel was transformed from a group of ancient buildings into a luxury establishment by the Ivancich family. The exhibition, open until Nov. 30, explores this legacy through a book and displays curated by Franca Lugato, featuring contributions from various historians and private collections. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)

Monte Berico towards the Jubilee, millions of faithful expected June 15, Il Giornale di Vicenza

The average visitors to the Monte Berico sanctuary is 2,700 per day. The natural attractiveness of the basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary, patron of the city, could be the multiplier effect of a series of promotional initiatives, linked to the six-hundred-year anniversary from the first apparition, 7 March 1426. A couple of days ago the bishop of Vicenza Giuliano Brunotto with Father Carlo Rossato, prior of Monte Berico convent, the mayor of Vicenza Giacomo Possamai, the president of Veneto region Luca Zaia and the president of Vicenza province Andrea Nardin, signed the agreement for the 2026 Jubilee period. The aim is to join forces to give life to religious and cultural initiatives, to reaffirm the link between the city, the territory and the sanctuary. Mayor Possamai said this is an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen the bond of the people of Vicenza with the sanctuary and to open new links involving the city and the territory. The president of the Veneto region Luca Zaia underlined the community Christian roots, saying the jubilee is the opportunity to find ourselves in this, promoting the territory and enhancing the paths with other places of Christianity in Veneto region. (Summary by Silvia Trevisan)

Autumn in Vicenza Cooler temperatures and variable weather

*TRANSPORTATION:

In the Veneto train ticket with the Tap&Tap system

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Now you can buy the ticket with the Tap&Tap System for the Trenitalia regional trains only along the Venice Santa Lucia - Verona Porta Nuova route and vice versa: just place the payment card on the machine used to validate the ticket and “Tap in.” Then get on the train, and once you arrive at your destination, get off and proceed with the “Tap out.” You don't need apps, emails or a paper ticket - which remain operational -, but just a moment to pull out your debit (Visa and Mastercard circuit only, for now) or credit card, or the one loaded on your smartphone or smartwatch to pay for the journey. Upon arrival it is important to “Tap out.” If you forget, you have until midnight on the same day to do it, otherwise the entire cost of the route (i.e. from Verona to Venice) will be charged. When the train manager comes along, just show the last four digits of the payment card used for data verification to validate your ticket. The “Tap&Tap” system is the most convenient one if you are late or do not want to use apps, and it always offers the best available rate based on the type and frequency of trips.

On-call evening bus, more stops from Monte Berico to Bertesina

The SVT Vicenza transport company has introduced the on-call evening service, buses on demand after 8:30 p.m. The first innovation concerns a better coverage of the territory, thanks to the addition of 81 new stops in addition to the 225 already foreseen previously, for a total of 306 points, which allow the urban area to be covered in a more widespread way. The second innovation concerns the booking rides process, the new “SVT ChiamaBus” (Call the Bus) app, active since March 11 and available for both Android and iOS. It allows you to book the evening ride more easily and intuitively, with a few simple steps, and it also allows you to be informed in real time about the position of the bus, reporting the actual waiting times. The service will be active every day except May 1 (Italian Labor Day), Dec. 25 and 31, Sunday to Friday evening from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.

Venice to double down on tourist tax for 2025October 25, Il Giornale di Vicenza

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In a bid to combat overtourism, Venice will reintroduce an entrance fee in 2025. The tax will be enforced on Fridays, weekends and public holidays, totaling 54 days between April and July. The fee will apply during peak hours, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. While residents of the Veneto region [including US personnel affiliated with the Vicenza Military Community] will continue to be exempt from the fee, they will still need to book their visits in advance. For those coming from outside the region, there will be a two-tier pricing system: a €5 fee for reservations made at least four days in advance and a €10 fee for last-minute reservations. The initial pilot project, conducted between April and July 2024, proved successful in managing the flow of visitors and reducing the number of day-trippers. Venice’s approach to regulating tourism is being closely watched by other cities around the world, including the Canary Islands in Spain and Kyoto, Japan. (Summary by Anna Ciccotti)

*PLACES TO VISIT:

The Veneto’s most beautiful villages to visit – VicenzaToday

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Veneto is a land full of small treasures to visit. Here is a non-comprehensive list of small enchanted places.

Marostica The town is enclosed within the ancient walls of its castles and still preserves the magic of past eras. The city wall starts from Colle Pausolino and descends to the historic center, connecting the Upper Castle to the Lower Castle. The famous chess game is a medieval re-enactment that is revived every two years in the famous Piazza degli Scacchi, in front of the Lower Castle, and which takes inspiration from a legend.

Malcesine It is a village nestled on the eastern bank of Garda, at the foot of Monte Baldo. The small village has medieval origins, with characteristic cobbled streets and squares, tiny and colorful shops, ancient houses, stone walls, courtyards and picturesque views. Malcesine has a modern cable car with rotating cabins that allow a 360° view which transfers visitors from the lake shore to the 1760 meters of Monte Baldo.

Valeggio sul Mincio and Borghetto Here you can taste the delicious local tortellini. Visit the Sigurtà Garden Park where you can immerse in nature and be enchanted by the great variety of flowers and plants. A visit to the small Borghetto on the banks of the Mincio River is a must. One of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy, it has been preserved intact over the centuries, with the water mills of the past.

Soave Fascinating medieval village dominated by a castle from the 10th century. A land of hills, slopes, green expanses of vineyards that immediately captivates those who visit it. There are numerous cellars where you can enjoy tastings and routes that wind through brightly colored nature and paths dedicated to tourists for bike and horseback excursions.

Asolo Due to its enchanting panoramic position among the hills, Asolo has always attracted artists and writers from all over Europe. The symbol of Asolo is the Rocca which dominates the landscape from the summit of Monte Ricco, offering a spectacular view. From here you can see the historic center of the city.

Portobuffolè A medieval jewel a few kilometers from Treviso. The streets, squares and corners return to their medieval splendor once every two years on the occasion of the historical re-enactment “Portobuffolè, XIII Century” (the last Saturday in June,) an evocative celebration with over three hundred people in period costume. (Summary by Angela Balbo)

*FOOD:

Where to eat the best hamburger in Vicenza – May 27, VicenzaToday

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Hamburger Day was celebrated on May 28 all over the world. Here are some places in Vicenza where you can enjoy it:

Bamburger: a modern place for a gourmet burger, is located in Contrà Cantarane 15; Bamburger stands out for its selection of gourmet burgers made with the highest quality ingredients and artisan bread.

Beppe’s Snack: a dive into the Vicenza tradition, in Contrà Porta Santa Lucia, is a true institution in the city. The menu offers a wide choice of burgers, from classics with hand-minced meat to more creative proposals. Wide choice of beers.

JAM Burger&Music: a versatile venue for every occasion, in Via Ludovico Lazzaro Zamenhof 96, is the ideal choice if you are looking for a versatile place that offers a wide choice of burgers for every occasion.

Busa dei Briganti Pub: a pub with a great burger, in Contrà Portici 24, is a must for lovers of the pub atmosphere. The environment is welcoming and informal, perfect for an evening in company or for after dinner with friends. (Summary by Angela Balbo)

Pizza dei Signori is the best in Vicenza according to renowned food guide October 3, Il Giornale di Vicenza

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Pizza dei Signori by the young starred chef Matteo Grandi is the best pizzeria in Vicenza according to the Gambero Rosso Guide to Italian Pizzerias. A doubly important result if we consider that the pizzeria has not yet completed its first year of existence. The new restaurant, a stone’s throw from Piazza dei Signori is known for its modern and elegant location, for the best Roman pizza in the city and province and for having a station dedicated to people who suffer from celiac disease with an oven just for gluten-free pizzas. As far as the Veneto is concerned, there are 57 pizzerias included in the guide. (Summary by Angela Balbo)

The best restaurants to enjoy Vicenza-style baccalà

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Gambero Rosso has selected the best restaurants in Vicenza where to taste the real Vicenza-style baccalà, or salted codfish.

Il Ceppo - Deli and bistro in Corso Palladio, here you can taste baccalà in all ways.

Angolo Palladio - Located near the Basilica, it offers creamed cod as well as its traditional version with polenta.

Al Pestello - In Contrà Santo Stefano. The menu features a cloud of polenta with creamed cod and green sauce, and the Vicenza-style baccalà cooked at low temperature with polenta.

Osteria Il Cursore - the tavern in Contrà Pozzetto offers creamed baccalà, bigoli with cod sauce, and traditional codfish with polenta.

Remo Villa Cariolato - restaurant in Strada Bertesina located in an elegant late nineteenth-century stately home surrounded by a monumental park. It serves the traditional recipe of Vicenza-style baccalà with polenta.

Da Biasio - Just past Monte Berico, in addition to traditional Vicenza-style baccalà, it offers digressions such as courgette flower with creamed baccalà in a white corn crust, or cod, cauliflower and 'nduja tortelli.

Garibaldi - In the restaurant in Piazza dei Signori led by chef Matteo Grandi, baccalà is the star of the menu.

Ponte delle Bele - The menu of the trattoria near Porta Castello opens with crostini with creamed baccalà, then bigoli with Vicenza-style cod, and Vicenza-style baccalà with polenta. (Summary by Angela Balbo)

Best pubs in Vicenza and its province where you eat and drink wellMarch 9, VicenzaToday

Drunken duck – Quinto Vicentino

Quinto’s Drunken Duck offers a vast selection of beers from all over the world. Try the Scandinavian rosés, a true rarity. The food is a skillful combination of seasonality and territory. The Drunken Duck has been awarded internationally for its vast selection of craft beers.

Wild Turkey – Castelgomberto

The pub is in an industrial area, but as soon as you enter it’s like taking a dive into smoky Victorian London. Opened in 1990, it has a large variety of fine beers, each one served in the most appropriate way with absolute attention to the type of glass, temperature and draft. It has an outdoor area, too.

Bulldog's Holland Pub – Altavilla

Here, you will feel like being in a typical Dutch pub. The menu is rich and the bruschette are very good. It offers both inside and outside seating. Wooden tables and benches, soft lights and good music.

Taverna del Luppolo – Torri di Quartesolo

Nice little place with 16 taps of rotating craft beers located in Torri. The decor is very reminiscent of Irish pubs, and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The menu offers a great selection of food, including the very good bacon burger and the excellent bruschette.

San Peter’s Pub – Vicenza

The pub is near Ponte degli Angeli, it has English-style wooden furnishings. Great beers drafted with professionalism. You can find sandwiches with quality meat, but the club sandwich is their signature dish, even in the vegetarian version.

Red Quill – Vicenza

For lovers of Scottish pubs, it offers a vast assortment of beers on tap and a rotating seasonal choice. Another peculiarity: it is divided into two areas, one for non-smokers and the other for smokers.

Prince of Wales – Vicenza

Typical English pub with a rich selection of beers on tap. It offers a wide range of whiskies; rums and a line of Scottish; Irish, Belgian, dark, red, double malt, IPA, bock and porter beers. The menu offers excellent food to accompany a good glass of beer.

Tetley’s Pub – Bassano del Grappa

On the bank of the Brenta River, from it you can see the Ponte degli Alpini, but as soon as you enter it feels like you are in a public house in London. Tetley’s pub stands out for its pure British-style setting, the vast choice of dishes and beers and the excellent service. Try the yummy club sandwich and the country burger. The pub is also known for the infusions and teas available to customers. (Summary by Angela Balbo)

Discover grappa at some local distilleries

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Grappa is a symbol of the Vicenza area. Below are some historic distilleries in the province:

*Schiavo, in Costabissara, Via Giuseppe Mazzini 39

Guided tour of the distillery and the Distillery Museum, with a focus on the discontinuous distillation method. Exclusive tastings combined with sweet and savory dishes. Presentation of the new Cabiria Vodka and the restyling of Pinot Noir Grappa. 80s themed cocktail and food counter, with creations based on Cabiria Vodka and Pinot Noir Grappa. Reserve via email info@schiavograppa.com or via phone 0444971025.

*Poli, in Schiavon, Via Marconi 46

Visit to the distillery and the Poli Grappa Museum, with a celebration of the art of distillation. Presentation of HERBALIS, a new medicinal bitter based on 15 Mediterranean plants. Botanical Academy: a sensorial training course with Jacopo Poli. Guided tastings of HERBALIS and other Poli products. Reserve via email info@poligrappa.com or phone 0444665007.

*F.lli Brunello, in Montegalda, Via Roi G. 51

Guided tour of the working distillery. Taste game in the historic room with tasting of the new London Dry Gin “Gran Khan.” Presentation of the renewed company brand and cocktail counter with exclusive drinks based on Brunello products. Reserve via email info@brunello.it or phone 0444737253.

*Li.Di.A, in Villaga, Strada Provinciale Berico Euganea 30

Welcome aperitif with the renowned grappa-based Bitter. Guided tour of the distillery with detailed explanations of the distillation process. Tasting of grappa and liqueurs, combined with local 0-km products, such as artisanal cheeses and desserts. Reserve via email grappa.e@gmail.com or phone 0444885074. (Summary by Angela Balbo)

*HISTORY:

Roman era tombs emerge from the work in Contrà Porta Nova – September 11, Il Giornale di Vicenza

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During the work carried out by Viacqua to strengthen the water network, a skeleton dating back to the first or second century AD was found near Porta Nova. But there’s more: last week the workers came across several very particular objects including glass balsam jars; ceramic cups; urns containing bones destroyed by fire and a coin probably dating back to the era of Antoninus Pius, the Roman emperor who reigned from 138 to 161. This discovery led to the immediate suspension of Viacqua’s work and the intervention of the team of archaeologists from the Nea Archeologia Cooperativa. “This is an extraordinary discovery,” said Dr. Giulia Pelucchini, “since it is the first time that a burial area from the Roman era has been identified in this part of the city.” The recovery operations will take a few more days, weather permitting. This will lead to a consequent extension of the Viacqua construction site. (Summary by Angela Balbo)

The Appian Way becomes a World Heritage Site, Italy at the top of the list with 60 sites – August 6, Il Giornale di Vicenza

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The Appian Way has become a UNESCO world heritage site, and with this recognition Italy obtains the 60th World Heritage site, confirming to be the first in the world as a global cultural and historical treasure chest. The Appia (also called Regina Viarum, or queen of the roads) was the first of the great connecting roads built by Rome with new construction techniques, innovative and revolutionary for the time. Construction began by will of censor Appius Claudius Caecus in 312 BC to connect Rome to Capua, then extended to Benevento and Taranto, and finally all the way to Brindisi. It was initially conceived for military needs but became the main communication and trade network in southern Italy. It is a “public road,” without toll taxes, equipped with milestones to indicate the distance to travelers, as well as postal stations where to find accommodations and new horses. It was later widened and modernized by order of Emperor Trajan. After more than 2,300 years of history, the Appian Way has the UNESCO brand. (Summary by Angela Balbo)

Montecchio Maggiore, ancient remains under the soccer field and the Sant’ Antonio Theatre – March 7, Il Giornale di Vicenza

Montecchio Maggiore, the city in the shadow of two castles was born well before the two manors were built. Some archaeological sites had already been carried out a few years ago by the Superintendence, and in the state catalogue, updated to 2017, it is mentioned: “The excavation area led to the identification of pre-Roman, Roman and Lombard.” Recently, the city council exposed that under the Sant’ Antonio Theatre and the San Vitale soccer field there are a small Roman village and Lombard huts. The novelty is also documented in the general catalog of cultural heritage drawn up by the Superintendency. Archaeological investigations are required by law on both sites according to Montecchio Maggiore Mayor Gianfranco Trapula. These investigations, as highlighted by the mayor, are important since there are two projects to renovate the theater and enlarge the sports field. Preventive investigations could reveal significant surprises in that area, between Via Pieve, Cà Rotte and Sardegna, where the first inhabited nucleus of Montecchio arose thousands of years ago. “We all know that the ancient history of the city starts from there, where there was the ancient “pagus” that is a settlement from the Roman era, well documented by various findings,” said Claudio Beschin, majority councilor and researcher. “Nearby is the Parish Church, dating back to before the year 1000, and we know that floors and tombstones, and some extraordinary documentation from the Lombard era has emerged there.” For this reason, the municipality has decided to bring forward the studies in the area, so that the analysis can be completed before proceeding with the work. The archaeological “triangle” of the three streets is certainly not new to archaeological discoveries. In the 1990s, 15 Lombard tombs were brought to light which allowed researchers to reconstruct the eating habits, clothes and which weapons and belt buckles were used by this people. (Summary by Laura Kreider) 

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