The history of the Venice Carnival goes far beyond the colorful and identity-hiding masks. Join us on this walking tour to learn about the medieval origins of this iconic festival.
Description
A passing glance. Fleeting. Seductive. Faces hidden behind beautiful multicolored masks. The ability to observe without being seen. Suggestive, but friendly. Flirting with a veiled identity. The Venice Carnival has its own set of social codes that make this celebration on the banks of the legendary canals one of the most popular in the world. But what is the exact origin of this festival that is celebrated each year just before Lent? We'll begin to learn about its fascinating history in front of the church of San Simeon Piccolo.
During our unique guided tour of Venice, we'll visit the sestieri of San Polo, Santa Croce, and Dorsoduro. Walking through these neighborhoods, we'll be transported back in time to the Middle Ages. Back to a time when this festival of pagan origin was created and then evolved until, in the 13th century, the nobility began to dress up in costume to mingle with commoners. As we meander through the narrow streets along the canals, we'll discuss the most significant events that led to the immense popularity of the celebration up to this day.
In the 18th century, the Venice Carnival reached its height of grandeur. We'll get to go inside an atelier of masks and Carnival costumes to learn more about the history and the eighteenth-century aristocrats who decided to dress up so that they could enjoy the celebrations without anyone knowing what their real identity was. Among these nobles, one stood out above all others. Diplomat, philosopher, cellist, and, above all, seducer (he had some 130 love affairs), the libertine Giacomo Casanova certainly made the best of the carnival.
After revealing some anecdotes and secrets about Casanova and other famous characters, we'll end the tour and say our goodbyes in the historic center of Venice.
Tasting
If you do this tour during the actual Venice Carnival, you'll get a tasting of a typical sweet treat called a cicchetti, a typical little morcel eaten around this time.
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