Overview
Marostica is a small walled town in the province of Vicenza that draws international attention for its unique living chess game, held in the main piazza every other year. The town is enclosed by medieval walls with both an Upper Castle (Castello Superiore) and a Lower Castle (Castello Inferiore), and the Scaligeri nobles from Verona left a significant historical mark on the architecture.
Architecture · Day Trips · Festivals · Food · History
Before you go
Food
Marostica is known for its PGI-certified cherries (ciliegie di Marostica), which appear in local dishes, desserts, and liqueurs. Look for them at the weekly market and during the summer festival.
Transport
The nearest train station is in Bassano del Grappa (8 km). Regional buses connect Marostica to Vicenza and surrounding towns. Having a car is helpful for visiting the surrounding wine regions and agriturismos.
Weather
The best time to visit is late spring (May-June) for the cherry festival or early fall (September in even years) for the chess game. Summers can be warm, while winters are quiet with limited tourist services.