Marostica 2024: A Venetian Gem’s Guide to Chess, Culture, and Cherries
These crops of grapes, olives, and cherries bloom at the foot of the Venetian Prealps in the province of Vicenza, like festive garlands around the heart of Marostica. Nuggets of gold, silver, and ruby-red glitter the sunny slopes that embrace the town. The Venetian town of Marostica goes by the moniker “the city of chess, culture, and cherries.” With a population of about 13,000, it has been recognized for the excellence of its tourism offerings by receiving the orange flag from the Touring Club. It is unquestionably one of the most well-known of Veneto’s most picturesque villages.
The center of historic significance
Immersed in a picture-perfect setting, Marostica is spread out on a verdant carpet along the slopes that stretches from Astico to Brenta. It is a fascinating town to explore, full of testimony that take us back in time to prehistory, with a beautiful past and a rich tapestry of captivating stories, legends, and traditions. The first reminder of the area’s history is the historic city walls, which are scattered with Torresini and date back to the Scaliger era. They were started in March 1372 at Cansignorio’s request and cover a sizable area that connects the two nearby castles and encompasses the Pausolino hill and the plain below. The Vicentina gate to the south, the Breganzina gate to the west, the Bassanese gate to the east, and the Upper Castle gate to the north are the four entrance gates that open up to break the stone path.
The Marostica Castles
Among the most stunning and fascinating structures are the two Marostica castles. The capturing of Vicenza from Padua rule by Cangrande della Scala serves as the foundation for comprehending the dynamics of the castle-building process. Moving the city center from the original village of Roman and medieval building beyond the walls, Cangrande initiated a process of urban redefinition that is still evident today. With its battlements, rectangular layout, and commanding keep, the lower castle, which was built in 1312, is a significant example of military architecture.
As with the other castles, Cangrande della Scala ordered the construction of the upper fortress in 1312. The mansion is square in design, with four tiny towers on the sides and a huge tower in the middle. It formerly housed a church, an interesting windmill, and a large well, which is still visible in the interior courtyard. The Doglione, also known as Rocca di Mezzo, is another interesting sight to view.
Built in the Middle Ages, it was used as a toll booth in the 13th century to collect money from those bringing goods into or out of Marostica. The Doglione lost significance during the 1311–1387 Scaliger era of dominance. But it was rediscovered during the Venetian era, from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century, when it held the Chancellery, the Protocol Archive, the Monte di Pietà, and most importantly, the Armory, which kept up to seven hundred armor pieces meant for the Campus Martius for war exercises.
Located inside the walls that overlook the city of Marostica, the expansive park encompasses the southern slope of the Pausolino hill and is a must-see for anybody interested in exploring the magnificent surrounding terrain. The surrounding hills share the same vegetation, but the walls’ embrace creates a magnificent setting with lots of charm that blends historical artifacts with natural beauty. From a distance, the majestic elegance of the centuries-old cypresses, cedars, firs, and maritime pines may be seen along the walk that links the town with the Upper Castle.
Marostica’s Chess Set
Apart from its intriguing structures and landmarks, Marostica is well-known throughout Italy for its semi-annual folklore performance set in a historical setting, which takes place during the second weekend of September. The show is inspired by a brilliant game of chess in which real-life characters are the pawns. Though there isn’t any solid historical evidence, the myth is said to have originated in 1454.
The festival was first introduced by sculptor and artist Mirko Vucetich, who also produced the dramatic text “The Chess Game” and suggested the event in 1954. The tale of two young Marostica men named Rinaldo d’Angarano and Vieri da Vallonara, who fell in love with the same stunning girl named Lionora, Her father was the one who suggested a magnificent game of chess as a substitute for a duel challenge.
Festivals, events, and fun things to do
Apart from this well-known occasion, Marostica hosts a variety of other events and festivities, such as the spring festival, the antiques market, the cherry festival at the end of May, and the Caretera, which takes place on the second Sunday of June every year. The latter is a two-person downhill cart race that starts at the Upper Castle and ends at the Lower Castle.
Directions to Marostica
You will not have any trouble organizing the vacation if you have chosen to visit the city, maybe during the historic chess game or during the cherry blossom season. If you’re driving, you’ll need to take the A4 motorway in the direction of Venice, then the A31 in the direction of Piovene Rocchette after passing the Vicenza Est toll booth. Next, take the Dueville exit and proceed towards Marostica on the SS248.
If you are traveling from Milan, take the A4 toward Milan; at the toll booth in Grisignano di Zocco, get onto the A31 and follow the directions above. If you’d rather travel by train, Bassano del Grappa is the closest station, and Venice, Verona, Treviso, and Milan are the closest airports.
Weather and the best time to visit
When you arrive at your destination, you will find a climate that is generally pleasant, with hot summers and cold but not extremely brutal winters. The coldest month, January, has average temperatures between -2°C and 6°C, while July and August have average temperatures between 17°C and 29°C. The only “flaw” of summer in Marostica is precipitation: from May to August, there is an average of 100 mm of rain per month, but most of it comes in the form of brief thundershowers.