Italy - Brenta Bridge

 

Stamp Issue : 1948-10-03 

Brenta Bridge (Ponte Degli Alpini) is a wooden covered bridge on the Brenta River in Bassano del Grappa, Italy. It was designed in 1569 by the architect Andrea Palladio to replace a pre-existing construction existing at least from 1209. The bridge is a symbol of the Bassano del Grappa town. It was destroyed many times, the last time during WWII. The Alpine soldiers or Alpini have always revered the wooden bridge and Bassano del Grappa. After the destruction of the bridge, they took up a private collection and had the bridge completely rebuilt. Often soldiers flock to the bridge to remember and sing songs from their days as alpine soldiers. The grappa shop of Nardini Distillery is located on the bridge, also known as Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge).