Marostica, Medieval settlement in Veneto, Italy
Marostica is a medieval settlement in the Province of Vicenza in Veneto, stretching between two fortified castles connected by a defensive wall. The central square consists of pink marble and white stone forming a large chessboard pattern and is lined with buildings featuring arcades and loggias.
The Scaliger family built both castles and the town wall during the fourteenth century to protect the commune from attacks coming from the north. In 1404, Venice took control of the settlement and retained it until the end of the republic in the late eighteenth century.
The commune takes its name from an old fortress and serves today as the setting for a chess match played with human pieces wearing Renaissance costumes. Visitors see players moving across the paved field while referees announce the moves from the balcony of the lower castle.
Travelers reach the settlement most easily by taking regional trains to Bassano del Grappa and transferring to local bus lines that run directly to the center. The walk from the lower castle to the upper castle involves climbing the old town wall, which can become slippery during rain.
The upper castle stands on a hill rising 1,194 feet (364 meters) above sea level and offers views across the plain all the way to the hills of Asolo. Hikers following the path up can spot small towers along the wall that once served as guard posts.
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