Italy's First International Chess Museum Opens in Marostica

“Giovanni Longo” International Chess Museum — Marostica

Opening: Saturday, 16 May 2026 at 16:30. The new museum dedicated entirely to chess is located in the Castello Inferiore of Marostica and offers a visitor-focused itinerary for both enthusiasts and the general public.

The museum displays an international collection of chess sets, artworks and historical objects spanning several centuries and continents. The exhibition is organized into four thematic rooms (Europe, Americas, Africa, Asia) and features items ranging from very small chess sets to monumental installations up to three by three metres. Additional sections cover chess clocks, historical curiosities and a wartime area exhibiting handmade chess sets produced by soldiers.

Accessibility and services

• Visuotactile maps for visitors with visual impairments.
• Lighting adjustment devices designed for people with low vision.
• Informative videos in Italian Sign Language (LIS) for visitors with hearing difficulties.
• Free audio guides accessible via QR code on visitors' smartphones, with content in Italian and English.
• A Donors' Space to host new works and private collections, keeping the museum's holdings dynamic.

Opening events

The inauguration day includes collateral activities to promote chess culture, such as the Giovani Talenti a Marostica competition for 14–20 year-olds organized by the P. Ragazzoni Civic Library, and the 7th Chess Event with FIDE Master Carlo Micheli, scheduled on 16 May from 16:00 to 18:30 at Casa del Caffè in Piazza Castello.

Practical information

• Location: Castello Inferiore, Marostica.
• Opening hours: open year-round except 25 December and 1 January; typical hours 09:00–13:00 and 14:30–18:30.
• Inauguration date: 16 May 2026.

Project and funding

The museum's restoration and fit-out required a total investment of about €668,000, including €405,320 financed through PNRR funds and €262,679 from municipal resources. The project is the outcome of several years of collaboration between the municipality, the Soprintendenza and collector Giovanni Longo.

The institution aims to become an international hub for chess culture and research, prioritizing inclusive access and an engaging offer for both specialists and newcomers.