Palazzo Ducale (Doges Palace) | Venice Carnival

Venice Carnival - Yearly Carnivale of Venice

Venetians and guests from around the world take to the streets and canals to get involved in this event every year. Record numbers of visitors come to the city making the event the most spectacular of in the Venice calendar. Many local and international artists perform music live at venues all over the city. This historic event was revived for Venice and is now a true spectacular. The splendid costumes that are worn by locals and visitors alike are topped off with traditional masks. Dancing and performance in the streets takes place along side the spectacular Mardi Gras parade.

Main Stage in St Marks Square

Every year Venice holds its magnificent, historical carnival in late February to early March in the two weeks before Ash Wednesday. Music, both live and recorded is heard through the waterways, streets and in Saint Marks Square, where the hub of performances is. This main stage provides a great platform for the major performances that take place. However there are also many other smaller venues at which splendid events take place.

The Flight of the Angel happens every year in St Marks Square. An unknown angel, who is dressed in fabulous costume, is lower from St Marks bell tower to the ground. Historically this was to pay homage to the all powerful Doge. The splendid parade here also involves many beautiful period costumes that everyone will enjoy seeing.

Enjoy Dance Music and the Friends of the Festival Performances

Dancing, music and entertainment takes place throughout the city during Carnivale. More specifically the Friends of Venice Carnival, a non-profit making organisation borne in the city in 1990, holds costumed performances throughout the city. With authentic historical costumes they entice the public to join them in celebration of old traditional dance styles. One example is the minuets they perform to live violins and flutes in the squares. Their aim is to unite people in enjoying old Venetian traditions and they do it in very spectacular fashion, inviting guest performers from around the world to join in.

Revived Carnival for You to Enjoy

The history of the carnival goes back many centuries although it was only recently revived during the 1970’s. Cultural events that still happen today include a Best Masked Costume competition. The party atmosphere really gets going with superb modern and historical costumes being paraded on stage for your delight. Venice’s Mardi Gras is the climax of the fortnight of events. It has a parade involving many Gondolas and costumes and ends up in St Marks Square.

Venice and its Carnival Masks

The historical masks of the Venice Carnival are steeped in tradition also. They make this event a very unique one indeed. They are said to have originally been used to hide the identities of all participants. This allowed for a unique, classless event that all could enjoy equally. The most recognised of them, Plague Doctor masks have long beaks protruding from them. These originate from the breathing apparatus used by doctors during the plague that swept through the city. Francesco da Mosto, a Venetian with a family history in the city, tells us the beaks were filled with pepper to filter out any infections. Another style, the Bauta, covers the whole face and was traditionally used by Venetians during certain political decision-making. Additionally, there is the Columbina. This is a highly decorative half face mask that is held up by hand on a stick. Also there is the Volto which is usually a black mask worn in conjunction with a black cape. Most famously this was used in the film Amadeus. Composer Salieri convince Amadeus Mozart to write some music on anonymous commission for him. This mask was one similar to that which Mozart's father once wore and thus scared him witless into trying to complete the piece, while on his deathbed. Most of these mask styles will be available to you to hire or purchase from outlets in the city during the celebrations.

Starting Before Ash Wednesday Up to Lent

The festival starts two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends the day before Lent when a religious fast begins. Thus many restaurants and patisseries serve traditional sweets up. One of these is Galani or Angel Wings, which is a crispy pastry, sprinkled with icing sugar. Another is Frittelle, a donut like pastry sometimes filled with cream or jam. These are considered to be the symbols of the festival. They were produced originally in such quantity so as to use up and not waste any of the precious eggs during the fast of Lent.

With 250000 or more people coming to Venice Carnival, the party get bigger and better every year. Ballrooms and hotels hold specific events that do need to be reserved at the earliest opportunity as these are most often over subscribed. Many of the hotels and good restaurants will have special themed, festival menus on offer to all guests. But again it is worthwhile booking in advance to be sure you can enjoy these.