Venice Carnival is an event worth visiting. How is the famous Venetian carnival? When is the carnival in Venice

A two-week holiday euphoria reigns in Italian Venice during the annual carnival. Costume and theatrical performances, performances by jugglers, acrobats, magicians, mimes, snake charmers, sword swallows, a competition for the best Venetian mask, music and dance, an endless atmosphere of frivolous fun made the Venice Carnival one of the most famous and memorable carnivals in the world. By many travelers he is even secretly called the King of all carnivals.

The ability of the Venetians to have fun and organize a truly incomparable show increases the population of the city every year by 500,000 tourists.
  That is why the planned is not only possible, but also necessary to coincide with a visit to the Venice Carnival. You definitely will not lose!

Carnival begins 12 days before the start of Catholic Lent   and ends on Fat Tuesday, after which believers observe a 40-day fast before the most ancient Christian holiday - Easter.

History of the Venice Carnival

The history of this festival dates back to 1094, but the celebrations of that time took place without masks. Since 1162, the historically marked year of victory over Patriarch Aquileia, the carnival began to be held annually on St. Mark's Square.

Venetian masks, traditionally made from papier-mâché or leather, became fashionable only in the XIII-XIV centuries. It was a whim of the rich and noble Venetians who wanted to bring a note of mystery to the holiday, starting to eat at the same table with the slaves.

Balancing on the verge of rules adopted by secular society, but not wanting to spoil the fun with class prejudices, everyone wore masks. Hand-painted using gold leaf and soil, masks liked the Venetians. They have the opportunity to contact socially unequal. Masks began to be worn from August to Fat Tuesday.

The increased number of illegitimate children and brothels led to the ban of masks in 1703 by the Council of Ten. The ban lasted only one year, since the authorities themselves could not deny themselves the pleasure of wearing masks for the celebration.

Soon the creation of masks became a real work of artthat were decorated with bird feathers and even expensive precious stones. The modern Venice Carnival is not complete without a competition for the best mask.

Venetian carnivals during their centuries-old history of existence have experienced both ups and downs. The carnival reached its peak in the 18th century. Carnival costumes have become an indicator of high fashion trends. It was in this century that the heroes of the Italian comedy - Harlequin, Pierrot, Pantalone and Colombina became the protagonists of the carnival.

The emblem of the carnival was the charming Colombina. Decline came at the end of the 18th century, when revolutionary ideas reigned in the city, as well as in the country as a whole. The poor revolutionaries condemned those in power for squandering the city treasury at such festivities. This led to a veto on the carnival.

The modern Venice Carnival - the interweaving of the distant past and present

In 1979, at the initiative of the Italian film director, who was awarded five Oscars, Federico Fellini, the noisy carnival fun returned to the city streets with the permission of the Pope.

The great couturier Pierre Cardin not only created unique carnival costumes for the beau monde, but, inspired and inspired by a magical medieval holiday, wrote a hymn for him in 1996.

Since then, the anthem has become an indispensable attribute of the carnival, the first chords of which lead the audience to trembling expectation of something new and unknown.



As in the Middle Ages, the beginning of the holiday opens with a ritual called “Volo della Colombina”. Paper dove Columbine launched from the bell tower in St. Mark's Square. The dove explodes during the flight - and multi-colored confetti is showered on the heads of the assembled spectators in the square.

Then follows the oldest Venetian holiday - Festa delle Marie, dedicated to the release of the girls who were abducted by pirates from Istria. Numerous beauties consider it an honor to take part in this performance, portraying oppressed captives, and then happy liberated maidens, whose beauty is ready to captivate and envelop any young man with her spell.

The holiday spills over all the narrow streets of the city. Venice with its spacious squares, gondoliers, bridges and canals turns into one big stage with unthinkable scenery.

The flight and the riot of unbridled imagination of artists who recreated the medieval era are difficult to tie to real time. Every Venetian and guest of the city cannot come to a holiday without a costume.

Do not forget: this is a costume carnival. Down, feathers, camisoles and frock coats embroidered with gold, snow-white shirts with lace, frill and stand-up collars, puffy dresses with a deep neckline, knickers, powdered high wigs, black cocked hat - and this is not the whole list of elements of carnival decoration.



Many females can be found dressed in zendal - a black long and narrow lace or silk shawl. Do not despair if a carnival costume has not been picked up in advance.

Many shops offer a wide selection of unique masks.   and cloaks, cloaks that can be purchased or rented.

In addition to Arlequino, Pantalone, Pierrot and Colombina on the streets of the city you can meet Gianduia - one of the characters of the Italian comedy del arte. You can easily recognize the honest peasant from the heart of Piermont, who loves wine, beautiful girls and hearty food, with a three-arm hat and a brown jacket with red edges.

Pulcinella, a gossip and a mocker, who can be identified by his arrogant appearance and piercing voice, is also everywhere walking. Slightly hunchbacked and wearing a mask with a large hypertrophied fleshy nose, he became the prototype of the Russian Parsley.



Many ancient palaces open their doors to the eminent public, where exclusive private receptions and traditional costume balls are held.

So, the beautiful palace of the 14th century Papafava (PALAZZO PESARO PAPAFAVA), whose windows overlook the channel of Mercy (Misericordia) annually invites you to a ball accompanied by live music in the hall, lit by the lights of a thousand candles. A beautiful and unforgettable evening, graceful dances remain for a long time in the memory of the participants of the evening.

The charming Pisani Moretta Palace (PALAZZO PISANI MORETTA), located on the Grand Canal and filled with precious decorations and frescoes of the 18th century, attracts guests from all over the world in the era of the Republic of Serenissima. Grand Ball gives guests the opportunity to swim in an atmosphere of entertainment, permissiveness and temptation.

Russian artist Mikhail Shemyakin, whose designs are used to create costumes for an elite audience, has long been involved in the staging projects of the Venice Carnival, including for luxury hotels and palaces.

Amazing fireworks over the lagoon near Piazza San Marco crowns the end of the costume parade. AND the whole holiday ends with a pagan ritual - burning a straw effigywhich symbolizes the renewal of nature. The beginning of Lent is announced by the ringing of the bells of the church of San Francesco della Vigna.

Those who attended the carnival will never forget this celebration. A carnival mask can be a reminder of a wonderful pastime. Many Venetians have long become collectors of such masks, replenishing their collections every year with new masterpieces. So why not follow suit?

And our advice to you when traveling to Italy: better. It is not so difficult, and most importantly, it is affordable. So you can save on tickets for buses, trains, taxis, as well as your own time, which is expensive when traveling.

Photo: Irina Baryshnikova

Everyone knows, and about a million tourists come to a spectacular event. The amazing atmosphere of the holiday infects those who take part in the grand procession through the narrow streets of the ancient city. The festive euphoria of the most famous carnival in the world lasts about two weeks, and it is not by chance that tourists who dream of visiting Italy coincide with their trip to this incredible show.

History of Carnivals

Bright costumed holidays, common in Catholic countries, take their roots from the pagan traditions of the Roman Empire. The annual Saturnalia - vivid events in honor of the harvest - always took place with mass festivities of joyful hosts and their slaves. It is believed that the beginning of the history of the popular national holiday is the year 1094, only masks were not worn in those days.

Masks that erase class boundaries

Two centuries later, the annual open-air carnivals in Venice turned into a real masquerade at the whim of wealthy Italians. Surprisingly, aristocrats, contemptuous of their slaves, during the festivities allowed them to sit at the same table with themselves and eat the most delicious dishes.

To add a touch of mystery and leave class prejudices alone for several weeks, it was decided to wear masks made of leather or papier-mâché, under which both rich and poor hid their faces. It should be noted that so far their production is one of the most profitable articles of Venetian masters. So, hiding under their hand-painted face masks, the aristocrats communicated with those who were below them on the social ladder without hesitation.

Fun lifestyle

At first, colorful carnivals in Venice lasted only two weeks. Over time, the timing of theatrical shows increased to almost six months, and a fun holiday became a way of life of Italians. At the end of the 15th century, a special fund was even created in the city, the funds of which went to a large-scale show, and each resident saved money for a new colorful costume and mask. Even the poor, setting aside coins for six months, presented at the festival in rich outfits.

Decree banning masks outside of spectacles

Under the masks, erasing social inequality, terrible crimes were committed. Freedom of action led to shameful profligacy and even murder. Many, considering wearing a mask very convenient for themselves, did not remove it even after the carnivals. The church, worried about the deteriorating situation in the city, at the beginning of the 17th century issued a decree according to which all men who hide their faces in ordinary life were imprisoned and women brutally

The demise and rise of the festive show

Gradually, funny and carefree carnivals in Venice fell into decay, the industrial revolution that burst into the country did not have the best effect on entertainment events. Modern life realities supplant all colorful spectacles, and even a veto is imposed on the celebration in order to preserve the city treasury. However, lagging behind the technical process and remembering the centuries-old history of the existence of carnivals, it unexpectedly revives colorful events in 1979, popularizing the culture of the famous city.

His venerable contribution to the return of noisy entertainment events on the streets of Venice was made by the venerable Italian director F. Fellini with the blessing of the Pope. The great master of the fashion industry K. Dior for a long time created amazing carnival dresses for celebrities, striking with an exquisite cut and bright details. He was so impressed with the special festive atmosphere that he even wrote a hymn for the annual mass show, which has been played for 20 years in the world.

Venice Carnival: dates

The fancy-dress carnival, which has become a national holiday, begins ten to twelve days before the beginning of Lent. Even the translation of the name of the fantastic parade of masks from the Latin language (carnevale) is rooted in the expectation of a great Easter - “goodbye, meat”. Over the centuries-old history of large-scale events on the ancient streets, a huge number of people have passed, having fun on the eve of strict fasting and saying goodbye to hearty meals.

Most often, life-long events take place in the last month of winter. The magic carnival in Venice, the dates of which depend on the beginning of Lent and change from year to year, in 2016 was held from January 23 to February 9. Although earlier the extravaganza began a week earlier and lasted 18 days. Interestingly, the themes of fantastically beautiful processions are also changing, this year they were timed to coincide with the opening of the world exhibition Milan Expo 2015.

Holiday symbol - mask

Everyone who was on a fabulous show knows how beautiful Venice built on water is in those days. The carnival, whose masks are a real cultural phenomenon, attracts an incredible number of visitors who want to capture a unique performance.

Handcrafted and hand-painted masks are unique; in nature there are no two identical ones. An accessory with ancient history is divided into several types, which are interesting to learn about.

Varieties of face-hiding accessory

The mask with an elongated lower part, resembling a beak, and looking very ominous, is called “Bauta”. The person wearing it could eat food and drink water, and during the conversation he was not afraid to be recognized, since the accessory changed the timbre of the voice. The mask popular at the carnival often hid the faces of royal women, it was often chosen by those who wanted to stroll through the ancient city incognito. By the way, Casanova, known to everyone, preferred to wear Bautu.

The Joker, a masculine mask with ringing bells, resembled medieval times in appearance. "Joli" is a female version of the previous accessory.

Moretta is a simple oval mask that does not completely cover the face. It was specially decorated for the carnival and some elements were added. Complemented by a dark veil, it was ideal for visiting holy places. Beauties put on such a mask at carnivals in Venice, not hiding expressive features.

"Lady" is the most luxurious option for a fun procession. An original accessory made of the best materials was complemented by high hairstyles and luxurious jewelry. A lady in such a mask has always attracted male attention, remaining unrecognized.

Another unique accessory that does not cover half the face is called the Gatto. I must say that Venice, suffering from the invasion of mice, has always been especially respectful to cats. This mask has become a tribute to pets, and it looks like a cat's face.

Venice, carnival: costumes

Of course, the king of carnivals around the world is famous for the luxury and beauty of costumes, which can be divided into several types.

Most often, carnival participants dress in historical outfits corresponding to a particular era. Some, wanting to stand out and show belonging to a subculture, surprise passers-by with Gothic and cosplay costumes. Often Italians and tourists who came not only to watch a bright show, but also to take a direct part in it, choose Pierrot's dazzling snow-white outfits, which were especially popular more than 20 years ago.

Someone pre-sews himself a luxurious costume in anticipation of an extravaganza, and someone uses the services of shops offering visitors rental of exquisite masks, cloaks and stunning carnival robes.

Waiting for a new miracle

A riot of colors, noisy fun, amazing extravaganza - all this distinguishes the famous carnival in Venice. Reviews of tourists about a significant event are always full of admiration, because it is not in vain that those who have already taken part in the entertaining phantasmagoria more than once seek here. The festival, held in the open, turns Venice into a huge stage with the most incredible scenery.

Many Italians are overwhelmed by the time when the festivities lasted several months, and it seemed that the cheerful holiday would be endless. The magic show allows everyone to try on the most incredible roles, the joy of the annual reincarnations engulfs all the participants in a large-scale event. When the carnival ends in Venice and the old streets are filled with silence, there are always those who live the dream of a new meeting with the most anticipated event of the new year.

Mysterious ladies in luxurious dresses and lace half masks, gentlemen in bouts, processions and parades, street performances and music ... Today, the carnival in Venice follows the prescribed rules and has a certain theme, but several centuries earlier it was a real revelry of excitement and flirting.

The history of masquerade

The history of Carnevale di Venezia takes us back to the times of Ancient Rome, to the annual Saturnalia - a holiday in honor of the ancient Roman god Saturn, the patron saint of agriculture. Saturnalia was celebrated in December, the days of the winter solstice.

Only in the period of Saturnalia did everyone become equal to each other - the slave became equal to his master and had the right to sit with him at the same table. And so that the social situation does not bother anyone and does not give rise to prejudice, everyone put on special masks that completely hide their faces. Thus, no one knew - a slave before him or a noble lord. It was possible to do anything, regardless of the ranks and position in society.

With the advent of Christian traditions, the holiday has slightly changed   - Now no one bothered the ancient Roman pantheon of gods. The holiday was no longer dedicated to the gods, people just wanted to have fun, in which almost everything was allowed. Indispensable attributes of the holiday - the mask, and with it the carnival costume - remained unchanged.

But the date of the holiday has shifted a little. The carnival began to be held closer to the end of winter, in the days preceding the beginning of Great Lent.

The date of the first Venice Carnival in different sources also refers to different. According to some sources, the time of the first carnival was 1094, when the Venetian Republic celebrated the conclusion of a successful agreement with Byzantium, which gave it advantages for trade in the Mediterranean.

Another version shifts the date of the carnival to 1162when in the confrontation between the Venetian Republic and the Patriarch Ulrico, the first came out victorious. In commemoration of this victory, the townspeople held festivities and feasts in St. Mark's Square.

In 1296, the holiday already became the official city carnival - the Senate of the Republic of Venice announced the last day before Lent.

The heyday of carnival in Venice falls on the 18th century   - then during the festivities almost everything was allowed. Whole fortunes descended in casinos and gambling houses, ladies cheated on husbands, and husbands cheated on wives. The air was just saturated with excitement.

Everything was pretty frivolous and simple - because the face was hidden by a mask, which means that no one will know who creates these atrocities. At the end of the XVIII century (1797), after the capture of Italy by the French, Napoleon Bonaparte, being an ardent opponent of carnivals and public games, forbade these atrocities.

The revival of the masquerade occurred only in the 80s of the XX century, and then the holiday began to be held on an even larger scale, as if recouping over the years of disgrace.

On the pages of our site you will also find out where it is located and how to get from it to nearby cities.

Want to take a look at the famous landmark of Venice - the Rialto Bridge? details of this facility.

On our site you will learn about another popular attraction of Venice -. Why is the magnificent structure so famous?

You must have heard of the La Scala Milan Opera House! You will find several photos of the famous building, and find out the history of its construction.

When the event takes place: celebration date in 2017

Carnevale di Venezia is currently themed   - The main theme of the holiday is officially established. For example, for 10 years, the theme of the festival was cinema art, namely, Federico Fellini's films.

There were holidays dedicated to travel in general   (the theme is “Travel and Travelers”) or a specific country or part of the world (“The East and its Traditions”). All the performances of the Venice Carnival in Italy, as well as the costumes of the main characters and heroes, were kept in the theme of the holiday. The theme of 2014 was nature, 2015 was delicious food, and 2016 was Arts and Crafts.

Preparations for the events of 2017 are in full swing: after all, the time of the celebration is from February 11 to 28, inclusive. For these two weeks, Venice will blossom and sparkle with a hundred shades.

The beauty of Carnevale di Venezia is that this is an open event accessible to tourists from any country.. Anyone can try on a costume of the 18th or 19th century and join the noisy crowd of people celebrating. A prerequisite is the wearing of a baut (special carnival mask), without it a holiday is not considered a holiday.

True, to create a carnival image, you have to pretty much fork out:   luxurious and expensive fabrics, lace, fur - such chic outfits cost a lot. Fortunately, there are offices ready to offer rental of traditional carnival costumes for a fee.

But if you didn’t have time in the days of the official celebration, you should not get upset - a carnival mask and other paraphernalia can be purchased at special gift shops.

The price of the most expensive and luxurious bouts reaches 150 euros. But do not rush to purchase them: sometimes masks for 5-10 euros are much more convenient, and they are not inferior to beauty.

After watching this video, you can plunge into the atmosphere of the celebration of the Venice Carnival:

Tourists note:

Venice Carnival 2019: program and dates of the festival. What to do and how to spend time if you are lucky to be in Venice during the winter festivities.

# 2 Savoia & Jolanda 4 *

High-quality European "four". A reasonable decision is to choose a hotel in the Castello area and to disengage yourself from the bustle of San Marco at night. The hotel has rooms in a palace style (we warn fans of minimalism) and a terrace overlooking the Grand Canal.

Hotel Savoia & Jolanda 4 * (Venice Carnival 2019)

# 3 Splendid Venice 4 *

Advantages of the mass: location, the ability to order a water taxi to the entrance, a panoramic rooftop terrace, the proximity of San Marco (500 meters). The hotel took care of comfortable beds and delicious breakfasts. We are in love with him! 8.7 points on booking.com + 9.5 (!) Per location.

Hotel Splendid Venice 4 * (Carnival of Venice 2019)

#4. Hotel Anastasia 3 *

One of the budget hotels in the San Marco area. 300 meters to the famous square - none of the events of the celebration will pass you by! The rooms are well furnished, guests also note the hospitality and professionalism of the staff.

Double room in Hotel Anastasia 3 * (Venice)

#5. Hotel Bel Sito & Berlino 3 *

Hotel in a traditional Venetian style at a reasonable price. The design of the rooms is very romantic, everyone will like it, but especially for couples in love! The food is delicious, wi-fi works well, all the main attractions are nearby.

Remember - Hotel Concordia (Venice Carnival 2019)

What to buy at a carnival in Venice

Once at the carnival, you probably want to treat yourself to gifts. Souvenirs that are not sorry to spend money in such an expensive city like Venice:

Arcan I Magician (Tarocco del Carnevale di Venezia) - a most valuable find at the Venice Carnival!

• Carnival mask.   Without this beauty, you are unlikely to leave the city. For gifts, buy several copies at an average price, and the minimum program can be considered complete;
• Champagne Bellini   - A sparkling drink with the aroma of apricot. If you want something more elegant, pay attention to wines of the province of Veneto. For the price of 10-12 EUR you will get a worthy gift;
• Venetian-themed tarot cards.   A deck that can be used as a guide is Tarocchi di venezia   Dal Negro Publishers. It is discontinued, but is rarely found in Venetian shops. Tarot Casanova   from Lo Scarabeo also pleases with city views, you can buy everywhere. Tarocco del carnevale di venezia   1988, entirely dedicated to the carnival in Venice. It's hard to find, but if you suddenly succeed, you know - for one copy collectors are willing to give 500 EUR;
• One of thousands sweetsthat a little dove crumbles during an opening ceremony. The souvenir is absolutely free, but the most valuable.

Tours in Venice and the surrounding area

The best excursions in Venice are not massive "gondola rides", but unusual routes from local residents. They are created by creative people who have something to tell and show. All tours are conducted in Russian.

Production of carnival masks of Venice

In conclusion, the most beautiful video dedicated to the Venice Carnival, which we managed to find. Watch and get inspired!

  Visit and find out what is worth the money. Find out how it goes and as well as a souvenir.

  Venice Carnival   rooted in the distant pagan past. The word “carnival” itself comes from the Latin carrus navalis (which means “amusing chariot”, “ship of festive processions”) - this is the name of the ritual wagon-ship in ancient times, on which idols carried idols in Europe during the far Bronze Age fertility. Others argue that the word "carnival" means - "carnis laxatio" or "carnasciale" (in translation "goodbye, meat!") - refusal of meat, a religious fast before Easter. In a desire to adapt pre-Christian customs to a new faith, the church used an old holiday to prepare Christians for the longest fasting of the year - Great Lent before Easter. In 1296, the Senate of the Republic of Venice proclaimed forever the last day before Lent.

It is worth noting that the ancient Roman saturnalia became the ancestor of modern carnivals. In the days dedicated to the god of the harvest and fertility of Saturn, the Romans held feasts in order to revive the golden age of universal equality and prosperity. The gulf between the master and the slave disappeared during the holiday - the slaves were drinking at the same table with the nobles, and free citizens brought them wine. We believe that they come from here. venetian carnival masks: so that secular prejudices do not interfere with fun, everyone hides their faces under masks. The mask and carnival costume hid the true look of the owner, allowing him to do whatever he wanted, regardless of titles and titles, and most importantly, not to think about the consequences. On the days of revelry, the false king was elected, who at the end of the saturnalia either had to commit suicide, or died from a knife, fire or a noose. (tough morals)

  Venetian carnivals gradually spread throughout the globe. The main attributes of any carnival are costumes and masks designed to hide social differences and equalize everyone during the festival. At home Venetian masks   gained such popularity that they began to be worn constantly. It is worth noting that almost all the townspeople would prefer to hide their faces without any carnival. Venice is a relatively small city, and neighbors don't have to know where you left in the evening or from which house you crawled out in the morning. There have been cases when under the Venetian masks they hid to commit criminal acts. This state of affairs led the church to limit the use of Venetian masks. This led to the fact that in 1608 a law was passed in Venice, which stated that men were sentenced to two years in prison and a monetary fine for wearing Venetian masks on a normal day, and women were publicly slaughtered on the square with rods.

When asked exactly when the first Venetian carnival took place, there are also many versions. The earliest version dates back to the 11th century. In 1094, the Republic of Venice received, by agreement with Byzantium, houses in Constantinople with additional tax privileges, which gave it enormous advantages for Mediterranean trade. The celebration of this event could be the first Venetian carnival. According to another version,   first venetian carnival   It was already held in 998, when the young inhabitants of Venice returned their brides abducted by pirates. The third version says that the first Venetian carnival took place only in 1162, in honor of the celebration of the victory of the Republic of Venice in the war against Patriarch Ulrico. Citizens poured into a noisy crowd on St. Mark's Square, where they indulged in a feast and fun. One thing is certain for sure that already in the XIII century the last day before Lent was declared a day of celebrations and festivities. Two centuries later, a fundraising fund was established in Venice for annual venetian carnival, which had by then become an integral part of Venice. The whole city flocked on holiday days to st. Mark's Square   take part in general sabantua and gaze at the performance.

  At first, fighting dogs fought with the bulls, and then acrobats, jesters and dancers ran out to the blood-drenched area, and the magnificent fireworks completed the performance. Over time venetian masks, originally copying the pagan gods of fertility, began to change, reflecting the most important events in the life of the townspeople, and during the Venetian carnivals the loudest achievements of the Venetians were noted. Thus, the theme for many subsequent Venetian carnivals was given by the great victory of the Republic of Venice in the battle with the Turks in 1571. The echo of this feast has survived to the present day, because even now in the carnival crowd on San Marco a magnificent turban or bright wide harem pants will certainly flash. In the XVIII century, the main characters venetian carnivalbecame the heroes of the Italian comedy Del Arte: hundreds and thousands of Harlequins, Pierrot, Pantalone appeared on the streets, and the pretty Colombina becomes a face, or rather a carnival mask. At the same time, a tradition arose and survived to the present day on the first day of the carnival to lower the mechanical dove - Colombina, from which confetti streams from the bell tower on the rope over St. Mark's Square. However, initially a girl flew over the square, until one day this bewitching flight ended in tragedy. Confetti rain is a sign of the official start of the carnival. Immediately after this comes the time of unbridled fun.

The 18th century was the era of the highest prosperity in the history of the Venetian carnival in history. The irrepressible spirit of flirting and betrayal, a feeling of complete freedom and the expectation of exciting adventures attracted an aristocracy from all over Europe to this masquerade. The fame and popularity of the carnival was so high that even high-ranking persons did not consider it shameful to incognito to take part in unlimited fun. In the days of the carnival, everything was subject to the Venetian mask. The masks not only had fun, but also went to the service and shopping, to theaters and dates. The mask abolished all norms of behavior, and in the carnival days and nights when the Catholic Church bashfully looked away from the Venetian streets, not to commit the fall under its cover was considered a bad form. Even the convents in those days turned into dance halls and were filled with masked men. Judging by historical notes, the Venetian nuns of those times curled, wore low-necked dresses that did not cover slender legs, and covered their breasts only when they sang in a church choir. Almost everyone had a lover whom she secretly met. And if such were the morals of the nuns, then we can imagine what the rest of the carnival participants did during the festivities. Choking with unrestrained fun, the Venetians tried to win happiness and love, with a generous hand, releasing the remnants of material prosperity created over the past centuries.

It is already established that in the heyday always comes decline. And even the venetian carnival failed to escape this bitter fate. In 1797, French troops occupied Italy, and Napoleon's decree prohibited Venetian carnivals. But Venice could not and did not want to say goodbye to the holiday, which for several centuries was the soul of the city. Oddly enough, the beginning of its revival was laid by a banal commercial calculation. After the Second World War, Venice became one of the main tourist centers in Europe. The city opened many new hotels, cafes and restaurants, but it soon became clear that almost all winter they were idle. And in the late 70s an idea revive the legendary carnival. In 1980, a dove fluttered again in the sky above St. Mark's Square.

Since then, every year at the very end of winter, Venice is again filled with a wave of visitors, which are several times larger than the Venetians themselves. Cheerful and reckless carnival spirit, nearly two centuries languishing in oblivion, finding himself at large, again rapidly gained lost glory.

The carnival lasts ten days and opens with the medieval festival of Festa delle Marie, dedicated to the liberation of the beautiful Venetians. The procession runs from the palace of San Pietro to Piazza San Marco, where the audience will see seven of the most beautiful and young residents of the city - seven Mari. In addition to traditional entertainments, an integral part of the Venetian carnival is a football match, which usually takes place on the fifth day of fun. The Venetians are confident that this sport was born in their city, and arrange a real reconstruction of medieval football on the days of the holiday. The carnival ends with the burning of a scarecrow and general dancing in Piazza San Marco. The next day, the city falls asleep in order to explode again for ten days in a fountain of fun and whirl its guests in a turbulent stream of carnival.

Today, the carnival is a purely "tourist" phenomenon, which has lost its former significance for the spiritual life of the Italian people. It is believed that the city is slowly dying, gradually plunging into the waters of the Adriatic. Therefore, the fun reigning every year at the Venetian carnivals almost looks like a feast during the plague. But on the other hand, this colorful, heady sight can also be considered as a sign that Venice is still alive and follows its centuries-old traditions. In the days of the Venetian carnivals, Venice resembles the former great city: thousands of thirsty connoisseurs of this vibrant action come from all over the globe. The city dresses in festive dresses, disguising its antiquity. And I want to hope that Venice Carnival   will regain its former glory.