A riot of colors, cheer, floats and bizarre masks. Carnival has always brought in the street the artistic and festive side of man and very often it does with real works of art.
In some areas of Italy, the anniversary of the Carnival is extremely felt, so much so as to create strong rivalries within the same city. Between disguises and masks, there are refined, elegant carnivals, others more irreverent and satirical, still others in which people compete with shots of oranges, but one thing is certain: fun never fails.
Among colors, lightheartedness and joy, let’s discover together which are the 5 most famous carnivals in Italy, so as to have other destinations to add to our travel lists!
Carnival of Venice
Let’s start with the Carnival of Venice, perhaps the best known in Italy and in the world. The Carnival of Venice has ancient origins, even dating back to the first century of the year 1000. It is in 1094, in fact, that the word Carnival is attested for the first time, in relation to public celebrations that took place in the city.
Typical symbol of the Carnival of Venice are the Venetian masks, real pieces of craftsmanship that cover the face or part of it, with colors and expressions that leave you stunned and that over the centuries have inspired the traditional characters of the Venetian commedia dell’arte, as Colombina e Pantalone. Traditional masks are accompanied by disguises, made up of traditional clothes dating back to the fifteenth century.
During the Carnival, Venice is filled with colors and music, with a continuous festival that has its peak on Tuesday and Shrove Thursday, where thousands of masks pour through the streets (and canals) of the city, to attend the shows and the classic Flight of the Angel.
- Why spend the carnival in Venice?
Among the various parties organized there is one that stands out and also draws the attention of the media, il “Flight of the Angel”: this event (which will begin Sunday, February 16 from 12.00) is not only one of the most important events of the Carnival of Venice, but it is also one of the oldest and evocative events belonging to this picturesque city.
- Where to eat in Venice
After a morning full of fun and an afternoon full of shows, you will surely be hungry! So we want to give you some tips and advice on where and what to eat.
If you are looking for a fast alternative, maybe cheap, and that reflects the Venetian culinary traditions, choose the Venetian variety of inns and “bacari”.
They are excellent solutions that make us avoid crowded restaurants and at the same time enrich our holiday with something really typical.
Treat yourself to an aperitif in St Mark’s Square: whether you are a prosecco or Spritz type, it doesn’t matter: The bars under the Procuratie are the best place to admire the participants of the Competition for the most beautiful Mask with their spectacular costumes.
- Venice Theatre
In addition to the shows in St Mark’s Square, the Carnival Venice is famous for its concerts in churches and theatrical performances of the great tradition Venetian, and especially for the magnificent festivals that ÂThey play in the unique setting of the ancient Venetian palaces.
The dock of the Arsenal will be the background on which Compagnia Opera Fiammae and Viorica will give life at the timeshow of thirty minutesnbsp;which is inspired by the theme chosen by the artistic director of the Venice Carnival 2022 Massimo Cecchetto: “Remember the Future“.
“Nebula Solaris” aims to give back an overview, , launching a look at the past that advances towards the future through a parade in flames enhanced by the reflection on the water.
Carnival of Viareggio
The Carnival of Viareggio owes its worldwide fame to the famous allegorical floats, which parade through the city. These floats, which are the largest and liveliest in the world, represent the contemporary every year by telling, in a satirical way, all the greatest themes of current events.
And what to do in Viareggio during Carnival? Enjoy the beauty of a vibrant and lively city that, without hesitation, puts in place one of the most beautiful and clear satires around the country, on carts that are real masterpieces.
- What to do in Viareggio
You can take advantage of the time available to take a nice walk in Viareggio, especially on its famous promenade: this town is not large and has no particular monuments of great artistic importance, but you can admire the beautiful Art Nouveau buildings that overlook for the most part right on the sea.
- Viareggio, culture, tradition and good food
Absolutely not to be missed are the veglioni of the districts during the weekends, where you eat mainly fish, you go dressed in a mask or at least with a wig or a small mask, and you dance all night.
Another very interesting initiative is to deinbsp;Talk Cooking Show a kind of aperitif, which will animate the late morning on the beach. During all the weekends of Carnival, you can taste the specialties of Viareggio cuisine such as the Cacciucco, a dish that was born in 1500, when fishermen aboard the boats invented this soup made with less valuable fish, What on shore would have no market.
Carnival of Ivrea
The Carnival of Ivrea, also known as the Historic Carnival of Ivrea, is another traditional (and rather unique) way to celebrate Carnival. Although the Carnival of Ivrea is also characterized by the typical parade of floats and folk groups, the real peculiarity of these celebrations is the battle of oranges.
In the last three days of the Carnival, in fact, teams of pitchers compete with shots of oranges, which are launched by those who are on the carts and by those who are on the ground. The battle of oranges has become one of the symbols of Ivrea and is a great excuse to visit the city during the Carnival period.
- Ivrea and its surroundings
An obligatory stop is al Laboratorio-Museo Tecnologic@mente, a living place, a workshop of ideas linked to a very important name for the city, l Olivetti. In this space there are also famous examples of the legendary typewriters such as Letter 22 and Valentine, along with various models of computers and personal computers.
In an area so rich in greenery can not miss a city park and that of Ivrea are i Giardini Giusiana, south-east of the center. It is a well-shaded green area that welcomes residents of all ages in its neat and equipped spaces.
In the upper part of the city we also find the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace. The Cathedral of Santa Maria has very ancient origins and retains its precious features that clearly place it in the Roman Age. Inside, to see what remains of the Cloister of the Canons and the frescoes of the crypt.
- Ivrea, what to eat
Piedmont is a Region where you eat and drink very well and Ivrea is worthy of the land it represents. It has a selection of cured meats and lard, excellent, and you can fill even just tasting appetizers made of eggs or stuffed vegetables. Also interesting dishes with anchovy sauces or boiled tongue. A very present ingredient is the rustic savoy cabbage with which to prepare i caponet, involtini stuffed with meat, and cabbage soup, la “supa mitonà”, con pane, brodo e formaggio. Traditional recipes are la bagna cauda and tofeja ( beans with pork rinds and pork foot cooked in the wood oven in the typical), and le fresse, Delicious balls of offal and raisins wrapped in pork omentum.
Hundred Carnival
In the city of Cento, in the province of Ferrara, takes place the homonymous Carnival that sees the presence of floats parading through the streets of the city and among which, at the end of the celebrations, a winner is chosen, based on the most original and most beautiful wagon.
The Carnival of One Hundred is also known for being the first Carnival in the world to be twinned with the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro. The twinning was made official in 1993 and this gives the Carnival of Cento an enviable international prestige, having also made it the first foreign Carnival to parade in the Sambadrome of Rio.
- One hundred, what to see
Cento is not far from Ferrara which could be a great base to celebrate the Carnival of Cento. The town is known as the small Bologna for the beautiful arcades and the gastronomic offer that competes with that of the capital.
Visit the Rocca di Cento that inside tells stories of mysteries, loves and bandits. The Church of the Rosary and the Pinacoteca preserve the baroque works of Guercino that are also on display in the deconsecrated church of San Lorenzo. The Collegiate Basilica of San Biagio is a small jewel of the Baroque.
- One hundred, the small Bologna
The Garden of the Giant of Hundred, is a park reminiscent in small Parc Güell in Barcelona, with giant animals, mosaics and a riot of colors. Great for photos and especially perfect for children to dream about, go and have a look at the Garden of the Giant.
Carnival of Putignano
Last but certainly not least, the Carnival of Putignano. It is held every year in the homonymous town of Puglia and has as its protagonist the maschera of Farinella, which animates and colors all the events.
Famous are also the papier-mâché floats that are characterized by their delicacy and refinement, making the Carnival of Putignano a celebration of elegance and good taste, where the decoration techniques of the floats are handed down from generation to generation, never losing of craftsmanship.
- Putignano, because it is famous?
Putignano is perhaps one of the most famous destinations reachable during un viaggio in Puglia. Although its name is famous mainly for its carnival and parades of floats that take place there, this country also hides other attractions, unique natural beauties such as, for example, its strong caves.
It rises on a hill of the Murgia, the Apulian plateau of karst origin. This location is ideal for the presence of caves full of mystery and charm, which are located a short distance from the historic center.
- Typical dishes of Putignano
Among the typical dishes of Putignano, several specialties of the legendary Apulian cuisine: orecchiette with turnip tops, broad beans and chicory, wheat with oil and cheese, bread balls, classic chops or donkey and lamb with potatoes, are just some of the specialties offered in restaurants in Putignano.
Cover Image: Travel.thewom