ARCHITECTURE + AIRBORNE European Travels: MAROSTICA + SOAVE

Last weekend PJ and I took a day trip to Marostica and Soave with our dog Reesey. Marostica was the first stop of the day and is about 30 minutes north of Vicenza near Bassano del Grappa. It is probably best known for hosting a living chess match and for their cherries. In September of every even year a chess match using people is played. The chessboard is always visible and is in front of the Lower Castle.

From what I have read, the history dates back to 1454 when Marostica was part of the Venetian Republic. Two men fell in love with the Lord of the Castles eldest daughter. Not wanting to make an enemy out of either, he challenged them to play a chess game, winner would marry his eldest daughter while the loser would marry his youngest. The match is still replicated to this day, including the use of human players dressed as the pieces.

The chessboard for Partita a Scacchi.

Marostica is also known for their cherries that have been growing in the area since the early fifteenth century. Each year they have a cherry festival on the last Sunday in May and throughout the year you can find delicious cherry pies, cookies and jars of cherries. Cherry farming is very important to the area and the cherries have been awarded their own IGP [in english Protected Geographical Indication] status. This type of status specifies a high quality designation.

The town of Marostica is confined within the castle wall, and continues to be that way today. PJ, Reesey, and I decided to take a hike up to the castle; little did we realize it would be a rocky, almost straight vertical incline. My calves were in pain for a good 5 days after this walk.

Tired after the trek!

Beautiful

Man and his dog taking in the view.

Goats!?

SOAVE

Soave is a town to the West of Vicenza and is known for their production of their dry white Italian wine. It too is enclosed by castle walls and houses a large castle up high on a hill overlooking the town and the vineyards.

The medieval castle was built around 934 and remnants of the drawbridge and moat can still be seen today. The interior is a museum, however PJ and I did not venture inside. The hike to the castle from the town was another steep and rocky hike and I would not recommend this trek for anyone with strollers.