The legend of the Chess Game dates back to 1454, when Marostica was one of the most faithful members of the Republic of Venice.

It is said that, in that year, two brave warriors, Rinaldo D’Angarano and Vieri da Vallonara, fell madly in love with the beautiful Lionora, daughter of the Castellan Taddeo Parisio, and challenged each other to a duel for her hand in marriage. Taddeo Parisio, who did not want to lose either of the two brave young men, prevented the bloody clash by referring to an edict by Cangrande della Scala of Verona.

He thereby decided that Lionora would marry whichever of the two rivals won the match in the noble game of chess; the defeated player would also become part of his family, by marrying Oldrada.

The meeting was to take place on a festive day in the Piazza del Castello from below, with large and living pieces, armed and marked as black or white, according to the very ancient rules of the game, and in the presence of the Castellan, his charming daughter, the Lords of Angarano and Vallonara, the nobles of the nearby cities and all the commoners.

And so it happened. The Living Chess Game is played on the Piazza di Marostica, every second weekend of September in even-numbered years.

The commands to the ‘pieces’ are still today issued in the language of the "Most Serene Republic of Venice".

The show, with over 550 figures, lasts about 2 hours. Friday and Saturday 9pm, Sunday 5pm and 9pm.