Marostica is a small town known primarily for the biennial chess festival. The game takes place in the main square of the city, which serves as a huge chessboard, and the pawns are people dressed in historical costumes.
The city experienced its greatest boom in the Middle Ages. All this time, and also later, until the unification of Italy, it was under the control of Venice and Venetian influence in construction is very clearly visible here.
In the historic center around Piazza Castello you can see pretty tenement houses and several historic churches. One of the local castles rises next to the square, while the other one towers over the buildings built on the top of the hill. It is a great vantage point over the entire area.
The main attraction of Marostica is the chess festival that takes place every two years. Its traditions date back to the 16th century, and in its present form it was revived after the First World War. Anyone can participate in the games that take place on the chessboard in Piazza Castello. The whole thing has a very solemn setting, and the players are dressed in historical costumes.
