Venice Carnival & Venice Carnival MasksThe Venice Carnival was recently voted as one of the world’s top five carnivals. I would agree
This is a fabulous event and if you can visit Venice during the Venice Carnival and don’t mind paying ridiculously inflated prices then get here. Even with the high prices it’s worth it.
The History of the Venice Carnival This is a carnival that dates back over 900 years. Its roots can be traced back even further to the ancient festivals celebrating the end of winter. Carnival was the one time during the year when there were no bounds. You were free to do all the things you had wanted to do all year, your fantasies and desires were free to be lived without guilt and anonymously thanks to the masks. Social status, wealth or any of the things that we normally are so quick to judge had no bearing. The Venice Carnival Today
The carnival runs during the two weeks leading up to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Its date is therefore effected by Easter but in general it is held around late February. During the carnival Venice is alive with masked Venetians – and tourists. Bands, jugglers and entertainers enliven the piazza of the city, the canals are filled with colorful boats and the nights are full of parties and masked balls. Venice Carnival Masks The masks were originally pretty simple – they were just meant to disguise the wearer. With the passing of the years and the ever declining degree of debauchery involved they have become more elaborate. A number of masks exist such as the Moretta and Larva but the Bauta is the mask that is most commonly worn during carnival. Authentic Bauta masks are always white and generally cover the whole face, which also means that the voice is distorted. Many Bauta masks these days only cover the top part of the face allowing the wearer to eat and drink without having to remove the mask. If you would like to buy masks then there is one place I can thoroughly recommend without hesitation – the shop is called Carla Alta and they have a website where you can
buy masks online. • I know this might be ridiculous advice but believe me I have seen poor unknowing souls get it all wrong. Venice Carnival is not a fancy dress party so don't dress like the poor guy I once saw wearing a superman outfit. • If you are going to wear a mask at least get a reasonable period costume. Venetians will think you silly if you are wearing a fancy mask and casual clothes. For more on Venice Carnival, Venice Carnival Masks and other Italian carnivals try our Search Engine. Return from Venice Carnival Masks to the Venice Italy page
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