Location: Venice, Italy
When: 40 days before Easter, on Shrove Tuesday
The first mention of the Venice Carnival dates back to 1094, although carnivals did not wear masks until the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1162, in honor of the victory of Patriarch Aquila, a public celebration began in San Marco Square. From that day on, the carnival became annual.
Wearing masks was common for half a year, from August to Great Lent. Especially immoral women wore masks. In 1703 the use of masks was banned by the Council of Ten, but the following year that decision was overturned.
After the fall of Venice in 1797, the Austrian emperor banned carnivals. Attempts were made in the 19th century to restore that tradition, but the work reached the stage of private events.
Only in 1979 the Italian government announced the resumption of annual carnivals, choosing the event as the best way to spread the history and culture of Venice. Every year more than one and a half million tourists go to Italy to take part in this carnival.
Festivities also include live theatrical plays featuring intriguing and comical traditional folk characters, lavish 18th century-style galas in beautiful old Venetian buildings, open air street parties and an award ceremony at Carnival’s closing to celebrate the best costumes and masks.
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