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Venice Carnival
Venice, 10 days before Lent
Background
Venice Carnival begins around two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on the eve of Shrove Tuesday. The famous festival is associated with mischief, merriment and above all, masks.
Venice Carnival has a fascinating history. Evidence of Venice Carnival first appeared in 1162, when the Republic defeated Ulrico the Patriach of Aquileia. This began a tradition of celebrations on St Marks Square around Shrove Tuesday. The first mention of masks and the Carnival of Venice was recorded in 1268. The wearing of masks made it possible to hide social status, therefore the festival season temporarily overturned the social order of the city, allowing people of all classes and backgrounds to mix freely. At that time, the height of carnival fashion was a black silk hood, a cloak called a (tabarro), a three cornered hat and a white mask that covered the wearers face completely.
Today the Carnival of Venice is synonymous with pretty painted faces, energetic acrobats, beautiful ornate masks, enchanting magicians, mysterious conjurors and elaborate dress. Each year, the carnival follows a different theme, with exclusive balls and fancy dress parties taking place at elegant venues across the city.
The Venue
Most of the festivities take place in and around Saint Mark’s Square. St Mark’s Square has long been regarded as the centre of Venice. The square is home to all of the important offices of the state of Venice, including the city’s archbishop.
During the day, Carnival festivalgoers pose for photographs in the square, dressed in lavish fabrics and ornate masks decorated with gold leaf, feathers and sparkling costume gemstones. Street artists also congregate, offering face paint and colourful masks to plain, unadorned passers by. Meanwhile, musicians from around the world travel especially to provide live entertainment. Street performances by fire-eaters, jugglers and clowns also abound, as does street theatre and traditional Venetian comedic entertainment.
Getting There
No cars are allowed within the city, meaning the best way to get to Venice is by rail or water. Trains from Rome, Milan, Florence and European cities make stops at Stazione Venezia-Santa Lucia. A private water taxi from Aeroporto Marco Polo is another option, as is a motoscafo shuttle boat, which takes about an hour to get from the airport to Saint Mark’s Square.
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