Every year, between February and March, Venice turns into an open-air theatre, wrapped in the mystery and timeless beauty of its masks. The Venice Carnival, with its secular roots and elegant spirit, continues to fascinate visitors from all over the world. An event that is not only a show, but also a journey into history, craft tradition and Italian culture.
From medieval origins to the splendor of the Serenissima
The first evidence of the Venetian Carnival dates back to 1094, when the festivities were mentioned in an official document of the Doge Vitale Falier. But it was in the 18th century, with the golden age of the Serenissima, that the Carnival reached its peak. Venice became the stage of an endless masquerade party, where nobles, merchants and commoners mixed without distinction of social class. The masks and costumes allowed to abandon roles and conventions, giving life to a world of freedom and transgression. Ballroom dancing, gambling and theatre performances animated the city for months, turning it into a kingdom of mystery and fun. With the fall of the Republic of Venice in 1797 and the Napoleonic occupation, the Carnival was banned for almost two centuries. Only in 1979, thanks to a cultural initiative, the tradition was brought back to life, regaining its place among the most spectacular celebrations in the world.
Venetian masks: symbol of art and mystery
There is no Carnival without a mask, and in Venice this tradition is an art that has been handed down for generations. The Venetian masks, made of paper mache, ceramic or leather, are not only an accessory, but real masterpieces of craftsmanship.
Among the most famous are:
La Bauta – The most iconic white square mask, often accompanied by the tabarro (black cloak), which allowed to hide the identity and even change the voice.
The Moretta – Of French origin, it was a black oval mask, worn by Venetian ladies to seduce with the mystery of silence: it was held in the face biting a small internal button, making it impossible to talk.
The Plague Doctor – One of the most disturbing masks, with a long beak inspired by the protections used by doctors during epidemics. Today it has become a symbol of Venice.
The Colombina – Female mask par excellence, it covers only the upper part of the face, and is decorated with gold, feathers and gems.
Today, the artisan shops that make Venetian masks with ancient techniques are few, but they resist as bulwarks of a secular art.
Walking through the Venetian streets, you can still find workshops where master craftsmen create masks according to traditional methods. During our trip, we visited some of them:
Ca’ Macana – Famous all over the world, she has made masks for films like Eyes Wide Shut by Stanley Kubrick. Workshops are also organized to learn the art of decoration.
Tragicomica – A historical workshop that makes masks in papier-mâché according to the techniques of ‘700, with natural materials and decorations strictly handmade.
Atelier Marega – Specialized in masks and costumes of the time, a place that seems out of a painting by Canaletto.
The modern edition of the Venice Carnival is an event that attracts over 3 million visitors every year. Among the unmissable appointments:
The Flight of the Angel – The spectacular opening of the Carnival, with an acrobat who drops from the Campanile di San Marco.
The masked parade – Hundreds of figures wear lavish costumes along alleys and squares.
The parties in the palaces – The costumed balls organized in the historical residences of the Venetian nobility.
The Water Parade – A parade of gondolas and traditional boats along the Grand Canal.
This event is not just a celebration, but a collective ritual that unites past and present. It is the celebration of a city that has made beauty its essence, history its pride and freedom its spirit.
Wearing a mask in Venice means becoming part of this timeless spell, immersing yourself in a world made up of art, mystery and poetry. Because, as Goldoni said, “The whole world is a joke,” but only in Venice does the dream come true.
Cover: Pixabay
