Long before role players: an interesting tradition of Italian tournaments with the participation of live chess pieces (7 photos + 1 video)

Marostica is an ordinary city in Italy, which in ancient times, like many others, often turned into a battlefield. Fights in its squares and streets unfold even today. But very interesting, unusual and absolutely no casualties.





Battles in the "Chess City", as they call it themselves Italians, are deployed with a frequency of once every two years. And fight in them into people depicting chess pieces.

Chess legend



The battle takes place in the central square, which the local architect and artist Mirko Vuchetich not only painted, but also completely decorated, at the same time adapting an old legend explaining emergence of tradition.





It is difficult to justify such events without legends. Yes and a beautiful fairy tale always attracts more attention to the event, tourists and, respectively, money to the city treasury. Was or was not really - now you don't know. But in accordance with Vuchetich's version, in 1494 year, two young and ardent representatives of noble families - Rinaldo D'Angarano and Vieri da Vallonara fell in love with the daughter of the mayor Parisio beautiful Lionora.



The case smelt noticeably of kerosene, because, grapple guys among themselves, everything would have ended in mass bloodshed, to which the vassals of the lords blinded by love would join.

And the pragmatic mayor (did he hold such a position for nothing?) suggested a way out: a battle of chess. The function of the figures will be performed by local residents. The winner will receive the hand and heart of Lionora, and the loser as a consolation prize will be able to marry her younger sister.



Apparently, the whole multi-move was conceived at once on several reasons: to avoid showdowns, and to attach daughters, and with representatives immediately two authoritative families intermarry.

The game took place. History is silent about who won, who lost and who married whom (like it was Vieri, who favored Lionora, but this is not certain). But the game ended with a feast, two weddings and general welfare.



And the people were so imbued with the action that they decided to hold such battles regularly. And now, in even years, not many people come to Marostika only local but also tourists from other countries to enjoy action.

A chess tournament is not just a game, but a large-scale theatrical costume performance, participation in which accepts almost 1000 people.



In addition to the Chess Festival in Marostica, you can admire ancient castles and enjoy local cherries, which the locals humble commune is considered so special that they even made a berry object of special protection.

And the fact that the legend is somewhat reworked and adapted is not especially important. After all, for the sake of a good mood and an interesting holiday you can close your eyes to it.