Discover Marostica: Human Chess, Castles and the Cherry Festival

Marostica combines fortresses, special events, cherry-growing traditions and varied trails. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Marostica, you can tailor your stay to very different experiences: impressive urban history, walks through a landscape shaped by cherry trees, or nature observation in the wetland.

Human Chess, Castles and Sacred History

The human chess game is one of Marostica’s unusual cultural experiences. It takes place every two years in September in Piazza Castello, with around 600 performers wearing medieval costumes. Its origins date back to 1923, when university students Mirko Vucetich and Francesco Pozza proposed and staged the game as a historical re-enactment.

Castello Inferiore also stands in Piazza Castello, a square, battlemented fortress with a high keep and two drawbridges. Visitors can currently see twelve frescoed and partially furnished rooms, six cells in the tower and the ramparts. Castello Inferiore is open daily for visits, except on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Castello Superiore stands on Colle Pausolino and overlooks the walled town of Marostica. Its courtyard is currently closed and is opened only by prior arrangement for special occasions, such as exhibitions or events. The Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta adds another historical landmark: it is considered the oldest evidence of the Christian faith in Marostica and probably dates back to the early Middle Ages. Its Baroque façade is complemented by three bronze doors whose panels depict episodes from the Bible and the life of Christ.

The Ecomuseo della Paglia is located in the hilly district of Crosara. It is part of the Alto Vicentino museum network and complements the castles and churches with an insight into another part of the local cultural heritage.

The City Walls Trail and Cherry-Growing Landscape

The Cammino di Ronda begins at the Torre della Compagnia delle Mura. There, qualified staff sell admission tickets and fit visitors with safety harnesses before they walk the panoramic trail independently. The eastern side has been accessible since 2014; this section runs at a height of 8 to 12 metres and is 70 centimetres wide. The Cammino di Ronda is open on Sundays and public holidays from March to November.

The Sentiero dei Ciliegi offers another walking option. It leads from Pianezze to Marostica via the district of Roveredo Alto and passes through the district of San Luca. The route crosses a landscape shaped by cherry trees and offers views of the hills and the Marostica plain.

Marostica also has remarkable natural attractions away from the trails. Gorghi Scuri is a wetland with pools and small waterfalls along the Valletta stream. The waters serve as breeding grounds for salamanders and provide migratory birds with a resting place during their long journeys.

Cherries and Regional Traditions

Cherries shape Marostica not only along the Sentiero dei Ciliegi. In 2001, Ciliegia di Marostica received European recognition as a PGI product. At the annual Cherry Festival, held on the last Sunday in May in Piazza Castello, you can taste and buy cherries from Marostica. The festival also includes a market, tastings and entertainment.

Other Places in the Region

For more ideas of places to visit, you can find Enego, Castelgomberto, Zovencedo, Recoaro Terme, Monticello Conte Otto, Bosco di Tretto, Nanto and Arcugnano.

For the broader travel overview: Vicenza.