Festivals and local events are the mirror of specific folklore and they always reflect the tradition and culture of a place. In Italy there are hundreds, if not thousands, of towns that want to express their local features through events. However, Marostica, in the Vicenza province, perhaps has exceeded all types of expectations.

This Northern town is renowned for being the città degli scacchi, the town of chess, and it celebrates its name with an original event: la partita a scacchi a personaggi viventi, a chess match with living pawns. Hundreds of people wear typical costumes, and reproduce what has now become a famous legend known on an international scale.