Visiting Venice During the Carnival
The Carnevale di Venezia or Venice Carnival takes place annually culminating on Shrove Tuesday. The history of Venice carnival started from the loss of the “Repubblica della Serenissima” which was Venice’s previous name against the Patriarch of Aquileia in 1162. To honour the loss, people began dancing in San Marco’s Square. The festival declined in the 18th century and from 1979 has seen its popularity increase.
Venetian masks, Carnival in Venice, Italy / Photo by admin
History of the Carnival
The Carnival attracted thousands of people to the city during the carnival hey day. The streets were full of people wearing masks and people could not distinguish between the commoners and the nobility. In the squares there would be street artists and singers. People wanted to party in Venice and came from all over Europe. There were theaters, cafes, restaurants, gambling dens, brothels where the visitors could spend their money.
Events
There is a lot of entertainment during Carnival, there are food stalls and costumed characters, theatre shows, gondola and boat parades along the Grand Canal. The main events take place around the St Mark’s Square such as the Mask parades but each Sestiere will also have their own celebrations. There is also a Carnival for children in the Cannargio district. The last day of Carnival there is a fireworks display in St Marks Square, but you do not have to be there to see it, you can view the fireworks from anywhere in Venice.
Accommodation
If you are thinking of heading over to Venice during the carnival, do so, just book your flights and accommodation well in advance. Be expected to pay more for your accommodation, as hotels will be charging a higher rate. You could also check out the cost of renting one of the apartments in Venice, it may work out cheaper if there is a large group of you going.
Masks
Masks have played an important part in the Venice carnival. People were allowed to wear the masks between St Stephen’s day and the start of the carnival season (Shrove Tuesday). There is a new theme each year for Carnival but everyone will be wearing a mask. There are many different types, there is the bauta mask that covers the whole face, the Columbina, a half mask normally decorated with silver, gold, crystals and feathers, the Plague Doctor mask which has a long beak and is one of the most recognisable Venetian masks.
More than 30,000 people visit Venice each day during Carnival, making it one of the busiest times of the year for the city. If you are thinking about going, it is well worth booking one of the short-term rental Venice apartments 6 to 8 months in advance. The celebrations start 40 days before Easter and last for 2 weeks.
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