The Venice carnival

The Venice Carnival is undoubtedly one of the most famous and also one of the best carnivals in the world. This carnival is a historic event which originated in the Middle Ages but which now became a global tourism event, losing some of its authenticity but retaining all its beauty.

The Venice Carnival takes place every year since 1979, in its current form. It takes place during the twelve days leading up to Shrove Tuesday, so during the months of February or March. Visitors from around the world participate in this big party where everyone wears his best disguise. At the end of the carnival, during the last weekend, the election of the "Most Beautiful Mask" is led by an international jury!

The history of the Venice Carnival

The Carnival of Venice was born around the Xth century it was mentioned for the first time in a charter of Vital Faliero Doge of Doni in 1094. During the Renaissance the carnival was codified in 1269, the Senate decided to make the day before Lent a holiday, it was the birth of Mardi Gras.

At that time, the carnival was the only moment when nobles and commoners were mixed, under the fancy dress we did not know any more the social membership of people. Unfortunately this period did not last, at the end of the XVIIIth century Napoleon Bonaparte (who was exercising then his power on Venice) prohibits the carnival until the Austrians took power and restored partially.

The Carnival of Venice recovered its true form in 1970. Of course, the atmosphere and the costumes have changed, but his soul is still alive. The tradition of Venetian masks was relaunched in 1980 and the city became once again, during the carnival period, an huge open-air costume ball.

The Venice Carnival 2012

For 2012, the theme of the carnival of Venice is "La vita è teatro. Tutti in maschiera" or "Life is theatre! It’s time to get masked".

The carnival will be held from 11 to 22 February 2012 and its program will be overload:
- Carnival of Culture Night, a night dedicated to the culture (20 February)
- A great exhibition "Theatre Serenissima" on the topic of relations between theater and Venetian institutions of the sixteenth to the nineteenth century
- Five theater plays on "Open City Venice"
- Many concerts in the most beautiful palaces and places of exhibitions
- The Carnival Film Festival 2012 presenting historical films and theater plays
- Etc…

Discover the city of Venice with our guide