Marostica Piazza degli Scacchi - Piazzas of Italy by Ultimate Italy

Marostica Piazza degli Scacchi – Marostica public square of chess

Imagine Garry Kasparov, Viswanathan Anand, Veselin Topalov, Peter Leko, and Vassily Ivanchuk fighting for the final checkmate, not in the board but in real hand and feet situation. Don’t get shocked or surprised, in fact this is what exactly happening in one of the gorgeous town of northern Italy from century’s back.

The medieval town of Marostica, located in the foothills of Asiago plateau, about half hour’s drive from Vicenza and 10 minutes from Bassano del Grappa can be crowned as the living museum of chess apart from its identity as the producer of the tasty cherry. The only town in entire globe where the game of mind, intelligence and brilliance is played live with humans in its proper dignity, following the ancient codes.

Hard to believe but Marostica is the town where human chess is played in full medieval costumes even in this age of jets and supersonics. Hats off the way the culture is preserved and rejuvenated. It is an perfect example of how culture can be preserved intact by the wish and perseverance of the human being.

History: One of the most interesting subjects to trace identity and preserve legends certainly has its say for this amazing human chess game. Lets go back in time machine in the year 1454 and see the legend that’s behind the chess match. Those days Marostica was one of the most faithful members of the Venetian republic. In fact the city of Saint Mark used to lead the government by a “Podesta”. The prosperous year of 1454 saw the beautiful Lionora, daughter of Taddeo Parisio – the lord of the castle of Marostica. The beauty was such that they say the fairies use to envy Lionora. As natural it can be Lionora’s beauty and emanation trapped the heart of two gallant warriors of Marostica. Rinaldo da Angarano and Vieri da Vallarona desperately were in love with Lionora. The desperation was such that the warriors were even ready for a cruel duel to win the hand of Lionora. Taddeo Parisio was not in a mood to loose either of his brave warriors concluded for a diplomatic decision much suited for the honor of the two lovers as well as keeping the interest of the country by not loosing the life of either.

Taddeo Parisio declared by invoking an edict that there would be a noble human chess. Match between the rival lovers and the winner could be the bridegroom of the beautiful lady Lionora. The looser also will not loose everything as he can marry the beautiful sister of the Lord Oldrada. In that way both the knights will be the members of the royal family. The meeting was organized on the feast day in the square below the castle.

On that eventful day the sight was marvelous and historic. The dignitaries invited were the Lords of Angarano and Vallarona, the nobles of nearby cities, Lionora and Orlanda and the other members of the royal families. Taddeo Parisio also organized a parade of armed man, infantrymen, knights, herald, nobleman, falconers, standard bearers, musicians, farmhands and villagers in the honor of the historical event.

The chess match caught the eyes of the spectators with large and living chessmen armed and emblazoned in black and white with kings. Queens, castle, knights, bishops and pawns. The moves were ordered by Rinaldo da Angarano and Vieri da Vallarona following the ancient rule of the noble art. The fireworks, lights and festive sounds from the audience marked the celebration and the jubilation at the end. Deep in the heart Lionora secretly used to love one of the knights for she had informed the town that the area beneath the castle would be illuminated with a white light if her love wins.

The magnitude of the excitement and celebration has not lost over the centuries rather it had retained its ownself with the fortification of the era. Even today every second Friday, Saturday and Sunday of September on years which finishes in an even number the chess match with live chessmen is recreated on the square of Marostica. One can witness splendid and mind boggling framework of precious costumes, charming ladies, damsels, jugglers, martial parades, fire eaters, playful clowns and lot more to commemorate the passionate love story. The immortalized and solemnized show last normally for 2 hours with over 550 characters. The orders are still given to the chess characters in the dialect that was observed in the Serenissima Republic of Venezia in earlier times. The legend is still living as an epitome of love and thus cannot be swallowed by the darkness of times.

For those who want to be the part of the show advance reservation can be made for the numbered seat at the pro Marostica office. If you miss the show, don’t feel low as the precious costumes worn during the elegant performance can be appreciated and admired at the exhibition held in the lower castle. So hurry up plan the moves and prepare not to be checkmate by not witnessing the historic event in Marostica.