The Venetian Carnival: A celebration of beauty and fun

[KatyaL]

Italy is an amazing country with great cuisine and culture. One of the things it’s famous for is the grandiose Venetian Carnival. Many people go to Venice and the surrounding area every February to take part in the program or just enjoy the colorful costumes, masked balls, and different performances. This year’s event will take place from February 8 through February 25.

Below you’ll find some interesting facts about the carnival, what events to expect this year, and a few great places I recommend you visit while in Venice.

History of the carnival

The history of the carnival started in 1162 when the people of Venice gathered in Piazza San Marco to celebrate their victory over the patriarch of Aquileia. It became an official festival during the Renaissance (between the 14th and 17th centuries).

Until the 18th century, Venetians wore masks during the celebrations. However, under the rule of Francis II (1792-1806), people were not allowed to hide their identity, and masks were forbidden. In 1797, the festival became illegal. During the 19th century, it only took place in the form of private events.

After 1979, the Italian government revived the celebrations with masks in the hopes of improving trade. They also wanted to preserve the rich traditions coming from the unique Venetian history.

The carnival today recreates the way people dressed at the time of Giacomo Casanova. Participants wear colorful wigs, hats with feathers, and aristocratic dresses and costumes from the 18th century.

The Venetian carnival has grown a lot and has turned into one of the most amazing, picturesque, and popular celebrations in Europe and worldwide.

What to expect at the carnival in 2020

The main stage of the carnival is usually Piazza San Marco where many of the most impressive events take place. Except in Venice, there will be interesting performances on the islands of Burano and Murano as well. Burano is a fishing village famous for its colorfully painted houses and lace-making, while Murano is popular for glass making.

This year, the carnival will start on February 8 with the event Festa Veneziana on water. On February 15, the Festa delle Marie parade will be held in Venice. The Carnival in Murano 2020 will be on February 16 and on February 20 visitors can attend The Carnival in Burano 2020.

During the festival, there will also be contests for the best masks, official ball dinners, and different shows. You can check out the full program here.

If you want to see photos from last year’s event, check out this post shared by @ErmesT .

Places to see in Venice

If you’re interested in exploring Venice beyond the carnival, you might like the idea of walking over the Bridge of Sighs or Rialto Bridge. You may also enjoy the gothic architecture of Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

There are many other hidden gems you can discover in Venice while taking a gondola ride on the Grand Canal. Try it out!

Have you ever attended the Venetian Carnival? Share your impressions and photos below.

[ErmesT]

You are absolutely right, @KatyaL

Venice Carnival will start tomorrow at 7:00 pm, with the first Water Parade on Cannaregio, along the Grand Canal

On February 16th will take place the most wanted event: the Flight of the Angel from the St Mark’s Campanile

Carnival celebrations will end on February 25th

Here my impression of Venice Carnival, on a video from the 2019 event

[ravindus]

WoW…!!! Wonderful story @KatyaL , I really liked the way of your writing. Interesting flow with lot of details. Really eye-catching photos. I really liked the first one with the masked women.

After reading this it made me wanted to visit Venice during this Carnival. Thank you very much for sharing this.

Cheers…!!!

[KatyaL]

Hi @ErmesT ,

Unfortunately I’ll not be able to attend the Carnival this year, even though I wish for it. Are you going to attend some of the events? It’ would be great to see some of your photos from this year, too I’m sure it will be a great combination of beauty and fun again!

[KatyaL]

Hey @ravindus

Thanks so much for the warm words! I’m trying my best when writing and I’m glad you liked the details I’ve just shared about the Venetian Carnival. Have you been to a similar carnival? Maybe you can share with us some of your best photos?

P.S. Just a quick note, the first two photos in my post are not mine, however the last two ones are. Anyways, I believe Venice is very beautiful and everything appears amazingly when taking photos there.

[ErmesT]

Can’t wait to see you here around @ravindus (In Venice, I mean)

[ErmesT]

Indeed I will @KatyaL

Unfortunately I will not be able to be at the parade, tomorrow evening, but for sure I will be on there in some moment

[OSAMA1]

@KatyaL . How are you doing today ?? I just red this nice and informative post I’ve never known before. Great to study a culture and history of nations. To me, I say there are a different countries have a special events or as a culture to hide their Faces at some points. In Muslims’ Countries women hide their faces from men by the women Burqa depending on the Islam regulations or depending on a variations of cultures. In Yemen some of a women who live on the top of the Mountains hide their faces by a paint ( Make Up ) from men , not by the women scarfs like usual in the rest of Muslims countries ! Why ? The Mountains’ Women in Yemen go down walking to the Valies to get water back up carrying the water bottles over their heads. While they are walking up , while carrying the Water bottles, they can’t see ahead and to both sides left , right and down if they wear the veil of a women, or the Burqa, because it’s almost cover their heads entirely, and only their Eyes shown. The Makeup veil is very comfortable so they can see everywere 360. In south parts of Arabians’ countries, Mali, Tunisia, Algeria, Burkina, and Niger in Africa continent, there are a folk called Tuareg_people ! , only men hide their faces by a men scarfs as long as they live from women. In their culture , it’s a shame that men show their faces to women ! They show only when they are married. In United States, the Native Americans ( Indians ) both Women and Men hide their faces also by a paints. I so them when visited a high Native Americans village called Acoma the Sky City when I was in America. I saw a strange living culture on the top their, but it’s enjoyable. All folks their hide faces by a Paints.

So in this world a few nations have reasons to hide their face either by a Masks or …etc

It’s very good those in Italy returned back to hide their faces during the Carnival. Your post is very interesting and contains a beautiful photos and informations.

Thanks Katy

Cheers.

[OSAMA1]

Mr Smart @ErmesT very very interesting and beautiful collage collage photo and the video clip. I enjoyed watching the video , so great traditions.

Respectfully

[ErmesT]

Thank You @OSAMA_1

Carnival, (Carnevale, in Italian) is probably coming from the latin therm “carnem vale”, that means “take off the meat”. The event is related to the Christian culture and tradition of Lent. Mardi Gras is tha day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent in the Western Christian Church. Carnival is the period when everything is allowed, before the penance. In some areas this is considered the period of madness and transgression, where everything is allowed.

The Venice Carnival has a tradition of almost 1000 years. The first known document dates back to 1094, in which, when speaking of establishing public entertainment, the Doge (the head of the Serenissima Republic of Venice), uses the term “Carnival”.
The carnival was declared “public holiday” by the Senate of the Republic of Venice in 1296. The use of masks began in the same period, and in the following centuries the most famous masks would refer to the “commedia dell’arte”
In 1797, following the invasion of Napoleon Bonaparte, the Venice carnival was suspended. Italy went through over a century of invasions, which ended in 1918 with the end of the First World War and the defeat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It follows the fascist twenty years and the Second World War.
In its modern form, the Venice Carnival is re-established in 1979

More details on my reply on @AlexandreCampbell post: Carnaval à moda antiga – Old fashioned carnival

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Hi @KatyaL

Such an interesting information. Really amazing to know the details of the carnival. Very very happy to read your posts. We exchange information in this connect. Thanks for sharing.

[OSAMA1]

A wonderful reply @ErmesT . Now it’s clear to me. It’s great they returned the real Carnival events which showcase their stunning and amazing traditions to the rest of the world. It’s the freedom to any nation to practice their culture and their beliefs.

Thanks my friend

[IshantHP_ig]

Hi** @KatyaL **

Thanks for sharing the information regarding the mesmerising Carnival which is totally filled with beauty and fun, as you also mentioned.

Italy is literally a great place for exploring the mind blowing architecture.

There is also a event which is running in India (1st Feb to 16th Feb), feel free to read the post

Surajkund-International-Crafts-Mela

Hope you’ll like to read

[AdamGT]

I love your post and photos @KatyaL and oh yes the Venetian Carnival is a must see and experience if you ever get the chance. Oh and I totally agree with you, there are many other hidden gems you can discover in Venice.

[Silvi]

Me encantó leer tu post @KatyaL a pesar de no ser una persona amante del carnaval, me gustaría algún día ir al Carnaval de Venecia. Es una celebración totalmente diferente a lo que en mí país se realiza. Me encantan las máscaras tan glamorosas y ésos trajes de época. Italia en general es mí deuda pendiente. Espero pronto poder visitarlo.

Saludos.

Silvi.

[LuigiZ]

Hi @KatyaL ,

such amazing story and how true is that, Carnival in Venice is a unique celebration and very special for its culture, story and of course appearance.

[ComradeShah]

Impressive work, a post rich in information and decorated with wonderful pictures. Thank you @KatyaL for sharing with us. I wish one day I visit Italy.

[marcorp]

@KatyaL wow, this is just beautiful, so colorful! I´ve never been there for sure love to visit this place someday! Thanks for sharing these stunning photos and great content!

[NunungAfuah]

Wow I love it @KatyaL ! It’s so beautiful! Thanks for sharing

[KatyaL]

Hi @OSAMA_1 ,

Thanks so much for sharing more about how people hide their faces for different reasons and how they celebrate different festivals. This is great! The Venetian Carnival is taking place right now and I’m looking forward to see more photos from any of the events.

I saw that @ErmesT mentioned above that, he will be able to see some of the performances and I’m sure it will be a lot of fun!