The Living Chess Game at Marostica, Italy
The medieval town of Marostica, Italy holds a unique pageantry event every second (even) year in second weekend of September when living chess game is played on a giant (20x20 metres) chess board at the Piazza Castello (popularly known as Piazza degli Scacchi meaning Plaza of Chess) against the picture-perfect backdrop of the local castle.
About 500 residents of the town dressed in traditional 15th century costume take part in this pageant and re-enact the legend of circa 1454 when two noblemen in love with the elder daughter of the Lord of the Castle, were ordered by the lord to settle their differences over a game of chess instead of the traditional duel.
In the present day the entire event starts with music and flag shows followed with chess game played by human chess pieces in black and white medieval costume including duly decked up small horses to represent the knights. At the end of the game the winner gets the hand of Lionora and the loser gets her younger sister Oldrada.
The pageant is a big cultural event in the town and and is a big draw with tourist.
Image from Panoramio is by David M Gunn
Image from Panoramio is by David M Gunn
Image from Panoramio is by Bob Connelly
Here are few video clips of the occasion;
View location in Google Earth Google Maps
Source of Info and more info: Event Home page
5 comments:
Just one curious question: WHO IS PLAYING THE GAME? ;-)
Regards, kite
Sir
I appreciate that you like my photograph and wanted to use it on your site. I take that as a compliment but I think the polite thing for you to do is to ask before you use someone else's art for your own purposes. Please in the future if you want to use my art ask first.
To the commenter asking "who is playingthe game?". If you look at my photo you will see the 2 Princes sitting at a table playing the actual game.
Hi Bob. Thank you for your permission.
I apologies for my indiscretion of using the photograph first and then seeking your permission. Basically I decided the subject and images to be used at the spur of the moment. Rest assured I will take due care in future whenever I am using your images.
I am also grateful to you for replying to the query as to "Who is playing the game?". I had written to organisers of the event (info@marosticascacchi.it) but am yet to receive their reply. Your clarification is appreciated.
Thank you once again.
Thank you Bob, for answering the question. :-)
Please be kind to CJ, as I know him, he normally asks permission for all the pictures he uses.
Kite
It bears note that Bassano del Grappa, in Italy, does a similar chesspiece-as-human re-enactment. I think they don't do a live chess game, but rather a re-enactment of a game that's already been played.
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