Viale dei Martiri
The oak trees lining Viale dei Martiri each carry a small oval photograph — a face, a name, a surname. Thirty-one partisans were hanged here on 26 September 1944, some from these very trees, in reprisal for resistance activity on Monte Grappa. Walking the avenue now, with the Brenta Valley opening out below and Monte Grappa visible on the horizon, the photographs make the distance between then and now collapse in a specific, quiet way.
The avenue runs from Castello Superiore down to Porta delle Grazie. Fourteen of the trees and a lamppost bear enameled black crosses with red borders and a noose motif — marking the exact points of the hangings. One partisan remains unidentified.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who return tend to come back in late September, when flowers appear at the plaques and the annual commemoration draws schoolchildren, residents, and officials together on the 26th. The bilingual information panel at the start of the tree row is worth reading in full before you walk — it reframes everything you see after it.
The story behind Viale dei Martiri
The street was once called Contrada delle Grazie, then renamed Viale XX Settembre. Its current name came after the Second World War, in memory of the 31 partisans executed here on 26 September 1944. The killings followed a German and fascist sweep operation — a rastrellamento — conducted across Monte Grappa between 20 and 23 September 1944.
The avenue's physical shape has older roots. Until 1866 it was bordered to the north by medieval walls, which were demolished so that wealthy Bassano families building palaces in the area could take in the panoramic views. On 9 October 1946, the newly formed Italian Republic awarded Bassano del Grappa the Gold Medal for Military Valor.
Good to know
The avenue is always open, free, and accessible by foot from the city center. Ponte Vecchio and Piazza Libertà are a short walk away. The annual commemoration falls on 26 September. No tickets, no hours, no infrastructure to navigate — just arrive and walk slowly.
May through October brings the most reliable sunshine, with July averaging around 27°C — warm enough that the shade of the oak trees earns its keep. Winter visits are quieter and cooler, with January highs around 7°C; the avenue is no less accessible, but the September commemoration draws the most people.
Where is Viale dei Martiri?
Location
- In Bassano del Grappa
- 45.7650, 11.7370
- Open in Google Maps
Rating
4.7 ★ · 72 Google reviews
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What travellers say about Viale dei Martiri
This was the first place in Bassano we've visited as beneath it is a big parking lot where we parked our car. Once up, first you're impressed with amazing valley views spreading miles around. Only later we noticed tree plaques with partisans who were hanged there in Sep 1944
An absolute beautifully tragic landmark once you read the message board and understand what happened to the people that are memorialized here. The trees and well taken care of. The plaques are in great condition. The photo of each person is imprinted very well. Sad sad sad.
This is a very sad place with cruel history. It serves to remind us of the absurdity and cruelty of war. Teach your children, tell them there are no winners, only victims and injustice in every single war. The rich wage wars with a champagne glass in their hands, the poor pay for it with their lives.
so sad to see where the 31 young people was hung by Nazi's
Beautiful landscapes!
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