Living Character Chess Game

The Marostica Living Characters Chess Game is one of the most fascinating historical-reenactment events in Italy, capable of combining theater, tradition and legend in a unique spectacle. Set in the spectacular Piazza degli Scacchi (Chess Square), the 2026 edition will once again bring to the stage, with more than 650 figures in Renaissance costume, the famous love story between the beautiful Lionora and her two suitors, set in the 15th century.

The story, based on the theatrical libretto by Mirco Vucetich, tells how Lionora’s father – the castellan – decided to award his daughter’s hand not in a sword duel, but in a game of chess, fought by real flesh-and-blood characters lined up on the chessboard drawn on the square.

The event is held every two years and transforms Marostica into an open-air stage, with spectacular sets, state-of-the-art scenic technology, epic music and light shows that enhance the medieval architecture of the historic center. The festively lit Lower Castle provides the backdrop for four unforgettable evenings of theater.

Edition 2026 – Performance Dates

• Friday, September 4, 2026 – 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 5, 2026 – 9:00 p.m.
• Friday, September 11, 2026 – 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday, September 12, 2026 – 9:00 p.m.

A large 3,600-seat numbered amphitheater welcomes audiences, both Italian and international, ready to be enchanted by the magic of a legend that has been renewed since 1923. Advance ticket sales will be available soon in the dedicated section on the official website.

A tradition that has thrilled for over a century

The Marostica Chess Game is not just a performance, but a collective ritual involving the entire community. It is a tribute to local history, an occasion for popular pride and participation, and a unique cultural experience suspended between fantasy and memory.