Marostica
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Marostica is a town in the province of Vicenza, Veneto, Italy. It is located at around .
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Every even year, in September, a game of chess using live pieces is played. The tradition was started in 1454 when two noblemen, Renaldo D'Anganaro and Vieri da Vallanora fell in love with the beautiful Lionora, daughter of the local lord, Taddeo Parisio. As was the custom at that time, they challenged each other to a duel to win the hand of Lionora.
The Lord of Marostica, not wanting to make an enemy of either suitor or lose them in a duel, forbade the encounter.
Instead he decreed that the two rivals would play a chess game, and the winner would have the hand of Lionora. The loser of the chess game would also join the family, through marrying Oldrada. The game took place on the square in front of the Lower Castle with supporters carrying the noble ensigns of Whites and Blacks, in the presence of the Lord, his noble daughter, the Lords of Angarano and Vallonara, the court and the entire town population.
The Lord also decided the challenge would be honoured by an exhibition of armed men, foot-soldiers and knights, with fireworks and dances and music. This event is now faithfully reenacted on the square of Marostica every second Friday, Saturday and Sunday of September of "even" years. The orders are still given to the cast today in the dialect of the "Serenissima Republic of Venezia".
