Venice is unique. This magical city immersed in the water of its famous Lagoon seems to breathe following the rhythm of the tide. It's a treasure of art masterpieces and wonderful architectures, made with "calle" streets and "campielli", bridges and "gondolas".
Obviously, Venice is also its Carnival, a unique celebration organized once a year that deserves to be lived in first person at least once in a lifetime.
The word "Carnival" derives from the latin “Carnem levare”, meaning "remove meats from meals". Together with abstinence, this represented one of the behaviors that "good Christians" needed to follow and respect during Lent, which is the forty-days period starting the day after Fat Tuesday.
Since ages, Carnival has been associated with words like liberty, fun and freedom of customs, as this popular rite was an occasion to forget about differences between social classes, religions, sexes and hierarchies. This is why transgression and camouflage later became the main aspects of this festivity.
Carnival celebrations in Venice reach their moment of splendor in the 18th century, the period of foundation of the well-known Venetian Commedia dell’Arte by Carlo Goldoni. Therefore, the link between the city, Carnival and the Masks of the "Commedia" became very profound. The brillian Lagoon craftsmen started manufacturing beautiful facial masks, adding the rich details and bright colors that soon became the symbol of the lavish celebration.
Nothing has changed since those years! In occasion of Carnival, Venice tranforms itself into an enormous theatre stage populated by thousands of masks and costumes that dance, celebrate and have fun enjoying their total anonymity.
One of he best-known masks is called “Bauta” and is composed by a black cape, a red cocked hat and a white mask that can be worn both by men and women. Singularily, the shape of the face mask allows to drink and eat with no need to take it off, while the shape of the nose can even disguise someone's voice.
Taking part to the Carnival of Venice is indescribable. Walking next to century-old buildings dressed as a "Bauta", dancing with a colorful flow of people in the centre of one of the most beautiful town of the world, is really something priceless!
What are you waiting for? Book one of our properties in Veneto, like Ca' Marcello!
© Alice Pilastri
