The Carefree Traveller
Carnevale di Venezia (Venice Carnival) Saturday, February 26, 2011 - Tuesday, March 8, 2011 |
For eight days before Lent each winter, tourists flood Venice for an orgy of pageants,
commedia dell'arte, concerts, balls, and masked self-display reaching its climax on Shrove
Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.
The Venetian Carnival is one of the oldest and most enchanting festivals in Europe.
In the glory days of the Venetian republic, the Carnevale di Venezia began on December
26 and lasted until Ash Wednesday. So in the old Republic Carnival seemed to go on
almost all year long, or so it must have appeared to the visitors to the city. The nonstop
partying, gambling, and general irresponsibility reflected the decline of the Venetian
Republic.
Ordinary citizens dressed in costume made of expensive fabric could feel like wealthy
noblemen. Rich and poor celebrated together throughout the city and the astute Senate,
which recognized this as an escape valve for social unrest, pronounced that no one
wearing a mask was superior to any another.
In the 18th century dressing up and wearing masks was an inseparable part of the
Venetian daily life and society Even gamblers wore masks to remain anonymous. Women,
protected by masks, could make secret trysts and yet be seen in public. The "mask"
became an outlet for many to depart from the mainstream life they were leading.
During the Carnival St. Mark Square became the centre of celebration, described as the
world's greatest dining room, was like a huge open-air ballroom.
The final day "Martedì Grasso" or Shrove Tuesday, was the climatic day of the Carnival,
when processions wandered up and down the Grand Canal. Hundreds of fairy lights and
lanterns reflected in the waters of the canals and Venice itself becoming a unique great
stage.
With the fall of the Venetian Republic at the end of the 18th century, the use and tradition
of masks gradually began to decline, until they disappeared altogether. In 1979, a group
of young Venetians interested in theatre and culture had the idea of reviving the Carnival
in Venice.
Today visitors crowd Venice in the last week before the beginning of the Lent, and the
traditional spirit of the Carnival pervades the city again.
Venice's Carnival celebration lasts for nearly 2 weeks. Events are held nightly in various
locations throughout Venice and include masquerade and costume balls, concerts,
dinners, and festivals.
Formal Carnevale events require reservations ahead of time and some of the more
extravagant balls are quite costly.
Some public highlights are:
Gondola and boat parades along the Grand Canal
Mask parades in St. Mark's Square
Carnival for Children in the Cannaregio district
Grand fireworks show on the final day to end the carnival celebration.
Throughout the carnival season - partying and people in costumes in most of the squares
commedia dell'arte, concerts, balls, and masked self-display reaching its climax on Shrove
Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.
The Venetian Carnival is one of the oldest and most enchanting festivals in Europe.
In the glory days of the Venetian republic, the Carnevale di Venezia began on December
26 and lasted until Ash Wednesday. So in the old Republic Carnival seemed to go on
almost all year long, or so it must have appeared to the visitors to the city. The nonstop
partying, gambling, and general irresponsibility reflected the decline of the Venetian
Republic.
Ordinary citizens dressed in costume made of expensive fabric could feel like wealthy
noblemen. Rich and poor celebrated together throughout the city and the astute Senate,
which recognized this as an escape valve for social unrest, pronounced that no one
wearing a mask was superior to any another.
In the 18th century dressing up and wearing masks was an inseparable part of the
Venetian daily life and society Even gamblers wore masks to remain anonymous. Women,
protected by masks, could make secret trysts and yet be seen in public. The "mask"
became an outlet for many to depart from the mainstream life they were leading.
During the Carnival St. Mark Square became the centre of celebration, described as the
world's greatest dining room, was like a huge open-air ballroom.
The final day "Martedì Grasso" or Shrove Tuesday, was the climatic day of the Carnival,
when processions wandered up and down the Grand Canal. Hundreds of fairy lights and
lanterns reflected in the waters of the canals and Venice itself becoming a unique great
stage.
With the fall of the Venetian Republic at the end of the 18th century, the use and tradition
of masks gradually began to decline, until they disappeared altogether. In 1979, a group
of young Venetians interested in theatre and culture had the idea of reviving the Carnival
in Venice.
Today visitors crowd Venice in the last week before the beginning of the Lent, and the
traditional spirit of the Carnival pervades the city again.
Venice's Carnival celebration lasts for nearly 2 weeks. Events are held nightly in various
locations throughout Venice and include masquerade and costume balls, concerts,
dinners, and festivals.
Formal Carnevale events require reservations ahead of time and some of the more
extravagant balls are quite costly.
Some public highlights are:
Gondola and boat parades along the Grand Canal
Mask parades in St. Mark's Square
Carnival for Children in the Cannaregio district
Grand fireworks show on the final day to end the carnival celebration.
Throughout the carnival season - partying and people in costumes in most of the squares
Venice Grand Canal Boat Tour
The best way to appreciate its beauty and uniqueness of Venice. Admire the play
of light as we glide along the Grand Canal, the main street of Venice! Travelling in
a luxurious motor-launch, along with a glass or two of sparkling Prosecco wine,
your boat tour of the Grand Canal will bring alive all the magic of Venice.
Details and Booking Information
The best way to appreciate its beauty and uniqueness of Venice. Admire the play
of light as we glide along the Grand Canal, the main street of Venice! Travelling in
a luxurious motor-launch, along with a glass or two of sparkling Prosecco wine,
your boat tour of the Grand Canal will bring alive all the magic of Venice.
Details and Booking Information
Murano, Burano and Torcello Private Half Day Tour
Travel by private water taxi accompanied by a professional tour guide. Murano is
well known for its glass making, Burano is famous not only for its lace but it is
also a pretty fishing village, and Torcello is the earliest center of civilizations in
the estuary.
Details and Booking Information
Travel by private water taxi accompanied by a professional tour guide. Murano is
well known for its glass making, Burano is famous not only for its lace but it is
also a pretty fishing village, and Torcello is the earliest center of civilizations in
the estuary.
Details and Booking Information
Private Gondola Serenade on the Canals of Venice
Let you gondolier take you on a peaceful journey along the Grand Canal and
through the minor canals of Venice on a Private Gondola Serenade. Enjoy the
vantage point to admire Venice from the water where you can truly appreciate
the unique setting of the romantic city.
Details and Booking Information
Let you gondolier take you on a peaceful journey along the Grand Canal and
through the minor canals of Venice on a Private Gondola Serenade. Enjoy the
vantage point to admire Venice from the water where you can truly appreciate
the unique setting of the romantic city.
Details and Booking Information
Experience Venice:
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Carefree Traveller. Travel guides, maps and travel store.
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Accomodations:
Hotels
Resorts & Spas
Vacation Home & Villas
Vacation Packages
Car Rentals
Travel With Pets
Specialty Travel
Tours
Festivals & Special Events
Travel Insurance
Travel Planning
Destinations
Travel Guides
Maps
Travel Store
Resources
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Contact Us
Venice Carnival masks fall into several categories:
Commedia dell'Arte masks are based on traditional characters like Harlequin and Pierrot.
Fantasy masks are figments of the maskmaker's imagination, although they may be
inspired by historical designs.
Traditional Venetian masks such as the white volto half-mask with nose cover and its
variant, the "plague doctor's" mask with its phallic beak. (According to tradition, the beak
was intended to protect the wearer from being infected by the plague.)
Commedia dell'Arte masks are based on traditional characters like Harlequin and Pierrot.
Fantasy masks are figments of the maskmaker's imagination, although they may be
inspired by historical designs.
Traditional Venetian masks such as the white volto half-mask with nose cover and its
variant, the "plague doctor's" mask with its phallic beak. (According to tradition, the beak
was intended to protect the wearer from being infected by the plague.)