Marostica
Place of Interest
Main square with chessboard
Marostica
Medieval gem north of Vicenza
The medieval town of Marostica is worth a visit, being only a few miles west of Bassano del Grappa. It is entirely enclosed by a castellated city wall of the Scaliger and has two beautiful castles – the Castello Inferiore by the city gate on the hill above the town and the Castello Superiore. A stroll through the picturesque old town is a unique experience and takes the visitor back centuries in time.
Marostica is also famous because of the biennial (even years) chess game in the main square, the Piazza Marostica. People dressed like chess pieces meet here for battle. The medieval programme makes the chess festival a real treat. This tradition goes way back to 1454 when two noble knights, in the battle for the favour of the daughter of the lord of the castle of Marostica, arranged a chess game with their squires instead of an open battle.
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