Carnival in Venice

A Venetian carnival-style festival first appeared in 1094, under the reign of Doge Vitale Falier.

This Venetian Carnival therefore has its origins in this distant era and through a Venetian habit, as the austere Lent of February approached, of entertaining oneself by dressing up and wearing masks.

This Venetian festival, though pagan, was tolerated by the Doge, senate and clergy, as it reinforced the unity of the Venetian city and created the illusion for all, in a carnival costume and under a mask, of being all equal in Venice. But this was just an illusion. During these festivities, traditional costumes responded to codes that indicated membership of different social classes. Sumptuous masked balls were organized for the nobles, and ordinary Venetians could attend only by invitation. They were there to amuse the nobles.

As Venice’s carnival grew, the makers of masques venitiens or mascareri , formed a corporation in 1436.

It was in the 18th century that Carnival became something more than a pre-Carmel outlet, since it would be permitted to wear masks and costumes from October onwards, i.e. especially from the opening of the theatrical season at La Fenice, in deep imbrication with Commedia dell’arte and opera with Albinoni and Vivaldi.

Carnival in Venice was banned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1797. But it never totally disappeared, as it then expanded to the communes of Veneto and the islands throughout the Venetian Lagoon. In Mestre, Burano, the deambulations, acrobats, white masks or of black velvet, the black capesand costumed balls never stopped. Carnival was reborn Place saint Marc in 1979 thanks to a few Venetian associations, to become today a worldwide event attracting millions of tourists.

Today:

During Carnival thedestination Venice is one of the most sought-after. Participants from all over the world stroll around in period costumes, or showing off costumes they’ve made, thanks to which they express an imagination that’s more overflowing every year. Many tourists choose this period to visit Venice not necessarily in costume, but they take advantage of the féérique atmosphere to enhance their trip to Venice and their traditional and romantic gondola ride under the Rialto. It’s a race for the most beautiful photosof costumed people in front of the bridge of sighs or the campanile in a carnavalesque atmosphere and under a shower of confetti.

That’s kind of what we did, without dressing up but sometimes under a simple cat mask or sporting a tricorne to tell you all about this atmosphere with wonderful photos of carnivals from recent years. Rest assured, our trips weren’t just crowd baths, but also an opportunity to discover the unusual Venice by strolling through neighborhoods or sestiere away from the world.