Marostica Chessboard Square
Piazza degli Scacchi
A small medieval town enclosed by twin castles and city walls, with a giant chessboard laid out in its main square, where a costumed human chess match is staged every two years.
Marostica lies about 7 km west of Bassano del Grappa. Its Lower Castle, Upper Castle, and the zigzag walls connecting them, built by the Scaliger family in the 14th century, wind along the hillside. The square in front of the Lower Castle is paved with red and white stone to form a chessboard. According to legend, in 1454 two nobles settled a dispute over the hand of the lord's daughter with a human chess match. On the second Saturday of September in even-numbered years, several hundred actors in Renaissance costume re-enact this game (tickets required). On ordinary days, you can walk the wall path up to the Upper Castle for views over the plain. The small town is also famous for its cherries, harvested from May to June.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Ponte Vecchio, Bassano del Grappa
- Grotte di Oliero
- Monte Grappa & Military Memorial
- Asiago Plateau
- Teatro Olimpico
- Palazzo Chiericati
- Gallerie d'Italia – Palazzo Leoni Montanari
- Church of Santa Corona