Brazilians have their carnival in Rio, Europeans are closer to Italy. It is in Italian Venice that the most famous carnival in this part of the world is held annually. Loud, colorful, full of dressed people, is one of the oldest street games in Europe.

Initially, it was supposed to blur the differences between rich and poor inhabitants of the then Venetian Republic. The fun was for everyone, and the masks were not to reveal the person’s origin.

Currently, the Venice carnival attracts crowds of tourists and in terms of marketing is a brilliant magnet for a slightly more “dead” season in this city.

History of the Carnival of Venice

The roots of the carnival in Venice date back to the 11th century, although it became a public festival only in the 13th century. In the Middle Ages, the fun could last even several months, because it began, for example, in October.

The 17th century was a full flourish of the popularity of the carnival in Venice, when other royal families were also invited to party and visit. Unfortunately, at the end of the eighteenth century, the Republic of Venice ceased to exist and the festival was suspended. Despite attempts to resuscitate the Venetian tradition, it was not until 1979 that the carnival celebration was restored.

The word carnival is derived from two Italian words – carne, meaning meat and vale, which means to remove. The whole is meant to say goodbye to meat, i.e. a period of break in feasts and eating animal products.

When does the carnival in Venice start and end?

Carnival in Venice takes place in winter, more precisely 10 days before Ash Wednesday. This is the last party before the fast. The official start takes place on the weekend (Saturday) before Fat Thursday.

The Venice Carnival initiates the so-called angel’s flight, i.e. a zip line ride of a dressed-up person (it does not have to be a woman, in 2008 the rapper Coolio was the angel) from the bell tower of the Basilica of Saint Mark, right in the center of fun, right on St. Mark’s Square.

This symbolizes a reference to tradition when the fun began with a show of circus performers and acrobats. The angel’s flight takes place exactly at 12 o’clock, which is at noon after the last bell strikes.

At the end of the carnival, however, a competition is organized for the most beautiful mask, and in St. Mark’s Square on the evening a big ball and fireworks show before midnight take place. In addition, a parade of gondoliers is organized, flowing along the channel with torches.

The end of the carnival in Venice is announced by bells of Basilica of St. Mark.

Carnival masks in Venice

The most important characteristic element of the Venice carnival are of course colored masks. It is behind them in the past and nowadays that people could hide. Thanks to this, not only the poor and the rich can play side by side, but above all people of different nationalities and denominations, fully equal.

Venetian masks are usually made of plaster, gauze or porcelain. In addition, richly decorated with sequins, feathers or other laces are small works of art. Hence their high price. Of course, tourists can buy a cheaper equivalent of Venetian masks, unfortunately usually mass-produced in China.

The very shape of the masks has been designed so that you can eat and drink freely. Each year, the carnival also has a different theme, which is why sometimes decorations have a specific character. Recently, for example, it was Marco Polo’s travels. You can also distinguish several characteristic types of masks with specific decorations and colors:

– Dottore – probably the most famous mask, with a long beak, which was worn by medics. Its shape was justified by the fact that at the end of a long nose, doctors put herbs to eliminate the smell of decaying bodies.

-Pantalone – is a mask with a long nose and slanted eyes, depicting a sad old man.

-Volto – a white mask, symbolizing the spirit, usually worn with a triangular headgear.

-Bautta – a square mask, worn with a hat and cape, has no mouth opening.

-Colombina – a popular mask covering only the eyes, most often available in silver or gold.

-Arlecchino – a black mask symbolizing a slave. Often made of leather or wood.

-Moretta – in turn, is a type of mask that has no fastening. You need to attach it to your face, holding a special button in your teeth, mounted from the inside. Note – it’s hard to say anything while wearing it.

The carnival in Venice

The main center of the Venetian carnival is the very heart of this city, i.e. St. Mark’s Square. This is where the most important events take place, including the ball closing the fiesta. Another such carnival center is Piazzetta San Marco, located near St. Mark’s Square. In turn, the water gondola parades can be admired along the entire Grand Canal.

In the carnival, figures dressed in old costumes circulate around Venetian streets and pose for photos. During this time, the city hosts a lot of events, theater performances and concerts. Targeted to both adults and children. Among them, everyone will find something for themselves – classical or rock music, puppet theaters, comedy and dramatic performances, then you can also see an exhibition of Venetian masks from other eras.

An interesting event during the Carnival of Venice is the festa delle Marie, or the feast of Mary. Then, in memory of the old customs, the twelve most beautiful inhabitants of this city, named Maria, parade in period costumes. Finally, the prettiest is chosen – Maria del carnevale.

There is one more flight during the carnival, this time an eagle. It is very similar to the one starting the entire fiesta, i.e. a selected inhabitant of Venice descends on the line from the bell tower of Basilica of St. Mark.

What to eat during the Venice Carnival?

During the carnival season, Italians eat Venetian tiny starters (something like Spanish tapas) called cicchetti. These can be small sandwiches, seafood, stuffed eggs, pieces of meat or other, for example, miniature editions of Italian dishes. Cicchetti are sold on specially created stalls, where you can also try various types of pasta and wine.

Finally, it’s worth adding that Venice is really crowded during the carnival.

Unfortunately, the prices of accommodation and food are also sky high. And if you want to change into period clothes then renting them will cost us around 100 to 200 euros. It is cheaper to buy the Venetian mask alone, whose prices start from a few to a dozen euros. Participation in events and performances during the Venice Carnival is absolutely free.

On the topic of carnival in Venice, it is also worth visiting the official site of the carnival to find out how to experience it best when you are there and spend your holidays in Venice.