🚫 It Was Banned by Napoleon: When Napoleon took Venice in 1797, he banned the festival — seeing it as frivolous and politically damaging. It stayed that way for almost two centuries, finally revived in the late 1970s.
🎭 Masks Were Once a Political Tool: Venetians wore masks not just to party — but to level the social playing field. They allowed nobles to mingle anonymously with commoners, gambling, flirting, and discussing politics without consequences.
🕯 The Origins Are Pagan, Not Catholic: Though now linked to the Christian calendar (starting roughly two weeks before Lent), Carnevale has deep pagan roots, dating back to Roman festivals like Saturnalia.
🎨 The Masks Have Different Personalities: Each traditional Venetian mask has a distinct character and backstory. Character masks are inspired by personalities from the Commedia Dell'Arte, a theatrical genre dating back to the 16th century. Artisans called mascareri still make masks by hand using paper-mâché, leather, or porcelain. But this ancient craft is at risk due to mass-produced imports.
🍷 Wine Fountains Were Real: Back in the golden days of Carnevale (18th century and before), the Republic would go all out with flowing wine in the city's many public squares.
🪽The Flight of the Angel Kicks It All Off: Today, Carnevale officially begins with Il Volo dell’Angelo, where a costumed performer "flies" on a zipline from the top of St. Mark’s Campanile to the square below. It actually began as a tightrope act in the 16th century, performed by a daring Turkish acrobat.
🥂 Masquerade Balls: High-end masquerade balls take place in palazzos and historic venues, many of which are only accessible by invitation or with expensive tickets. The most famous ones include: Il Ballo del Doge – the most opulent and theatrical, and Tiepolo Ball.
🎉Venice isn't the only Carnevale in town: While Venice gets the spotlight, other Italian towns from North to South host incredible carnivals with deep roots and unique traditions and with fewer crowds.
These are great alternatives for those who want an authentic experience and hoping to help ease Venice’s overtourism problem. And lucky for you Italy has a well established rail network.
Viareggio in Tuscany is famous for its massive, satirical papier-mâché floats. Ivrea in Piedmont hosts the wild Battle of the Oranges. And Putignano in Puglia actually has one of Europe’s oldest carnivals, bursting with folklore and local flair.
