Piazza Castello Marostica, Italy
Piazza Castello or also known as the Chess Square, is the site of the renown Partita a Scacchi di Marostica. This game of living chess is held every alternating year in September, attracting an audience from far and wide. The townsfolk gather around the giant chess board at the center of the square to watch as the players engage one another in a game of chess where the pieces are actual people. Legend has it that this tradition originated in 1454 when the first game of this kind was held to determine who would win the honor of marrying the lovely Lionora. The square lies sprawled at the foot of the Castello Inferiore, and is the heart of the historic town. Antique markets, festivals and other events are often hosted at the square, apart from the world renown game of living chess.
By Train
The closest railway station to Marostica is Bassano del Grappa which is about 8 km away. Bassano station offers direct connections to the cities of Padua, Venice and Trento. For other cities it is necessary to change in the stations of Padua, Trento, Castelfranco Veneto, Cittadella, Mestre.
By plane
The closest airports to Marostica are Marco Polo in Venice, Catullo in Verona Villafranca and Treviso airport.
By car
From Vicenza (by highway): from the A4 Milano-Venezia, take the junction with the A31 Valdastico. Continue to the Dueville tollbooth. At the exit, follow the signs for Marostica-Bassano.
From Vicenza: (via Strada Statale) take the SS 248 Schiavonesca Marosticana in the direction of Bassano del Grappa, up to the roundabout that leads to the center of Marostica.
From Venice-Padua-Verona: take the A4 motorway in the direction of Vicenza, immediately after the Vicenza est tollbooth, take the Valdastico A31 motorway. Take the Dueville exit and follow the signs for Marostica-Bassano.
From Treviso and Castelfranco: from Treviso take the SS 53 Postumia towards Castelfranco. From Castelfranco follow the signs for Bassano. From Conegliano follow the signs for Ponte della Priula. After crossing the bridge, take the Marosticana-Schiavonesca road following the signs for Montebelluna-Bassano.
From Trento: take the SS 47 Valsugana up to Bassano del Grappa; then take the Nuova Gasparona highway to the Marostica exit.