What to do on Carnival in Italy
Yes we have to admit, we can’t wait for Carnival, one of our favorite festivities of the year.
But the wait is almost over! If you want to spend a fun and unforgettable Carnival in Italy you have just to check our tips. This year Carnival will fall by the end of February, with Mardì Gras falling on February 28th more precisely. Italy offers a wide range of possibilities to enjoy this colorful feast, which ancient tradition date back to Roman time.
Carnival indeed comes from ancient festivities such as Greek Dionysia and Roman Saturnalia. During this time took place a temporary interruption of social obligations and hierarchy to give room to overturning of public, jokes and profligacy. During centuries Carnival evolved taking into different forms, celebrations and customs. We want to tell you about the most interesting ones all around Italy.
Venice Carnival
Among the most famous of our country and in the whole world with thousands of people flooding the “calli” and alleys into a fantastic dimension that only Venice can create. Amazing and refined costumes, strange characters on the gondolas and plenty of events. From the “Nordic Walking Carnival” to the Venetian Feast on the water. Now, do your best for the most beautiful mask challenge, you’ll admire a parade of Renaissance nobles and bizarre creatures of all sort. Don’t be scared if some creepy figures with long noses will approach you, is just Carnival!
Viareggio Carnival
Let’s go to Tuscany, in the province of Lucca. Viareggio Carnival is well-known for its floats parade, crafted with papier-mâché and followed by masked groups moving in a procession through the main street of the town. This ancient feast dates back to 800’s, when coaches full of flowers and masked people invaded the streets. More than hundred thousand people took part to the first edition, since then allegorical coaches became famous and political characters the most picked in.
Ivrea Carnival
Now it’s the turn of the Piedmont, near Torino. The historical Carnival of Ivrea originates from the rebellion to an evil tyrant from a young girl that was then followed by the entire population. This insurrection lives again every year during Carnival in occasion of the “Oranges Battle”, a wild fight launching juicy oranges from a float to another, called the “Carri del Getto” (as the Italian word “gettare”, to throw, suggests.)
Milano Carnival
Last but not least a Carnival that begins when the Carnival ends in the rest of the world. The Ambrosiano Carnival of Milan indeed begins after Ash Wednesday. Here in osservance of the Ambrosiano rite, the Carnival is celebrated on Saturday instead of Mardì Gras. Most important event of this celebration it’s the big parade of Saturday afternoon. A magnificent parade of allegorical floats, colorful costumes, traditional masks, suggestive light installations and fun for everyone.
