Marostica and the Human Chess Match

Sitting at the foothills of the Asiago Plateau and not far from Vicenza and Bassano del Grappa is the town of Marostica. A lovely town is enclosed within the ancient walls of its castles and still retains the magical atmosphere of the past. The merloned wall built by the Scaligeri in the 14th century connects the castle on the hill (Castello Superiore) above the town with the castle (Castello Inferiore) below. Because there were two castles, the town could be defended more easily and it had complete control over local trade routes. The town, which has been awarded the TCI's "Bandiera Arancione" (Orange Flag), is famous for a human chess tournament. The Museo dei Costumi delia Partita a Scacchi is an exhibition of the costumes used in the game of chess.

The game takes place every even year so September 2012 is the time to see. 

The lower castle of Marostica

A few meters away from Castello Superiore is the Museo Ornitologico "Angelo Fabris", with one of the largest collections of birds in Europe, (more than a thousand specimens). It organizes flying demonstrations with specially trained birds of prey and guided tours of important bird sites in the area.

The Museo "Cappelli di Paglia di Marostica" is an exhibition about the local tradition of making straw hats. The craft skill of plaiting straw to make hats and bags was so important by the mid-17th century that the town's products were exported allover Italy, to Europe and North America.

The outer walls of the city of Marostica, Italy

The famous chess game is the ultimate expression of tradition, a magical moment for this town that is also known as the City of Chess. It is a medieval re-enactment that takes place every two years in the famous Chess Square, opposite the Lower Castle, which takes its cue from a legend. It is said that in 1454 two noble warriors were both in love with Lionora, the daughter of the Castellan of Marostica.

These warriors were forbidden to fight a bloody duel and a singular chess game was played instead. The live game of chess takes place on the second Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the month of September in even-numbered years and involves more than five hundred players dressed in period costumes.

In the spring Marostica’s rolling hills are encased in an enchanting expanse of cherry trees in bloom, a soft white color gives the foliage a fabulous candor. Roana, Sandra, Francese, Bella Italia, Milanese and Romana: are some of the varieties produced in the area and are so good that they bear the PGI (protected geographical indication) mark.