You have probably heard about Venice Carnival, but did you know that it is one of the most famous Carnivals in the world and most of all, it is probably one of the oldest Carnivals ever existed. And it has a very interesting history that you probably didn’t know.

There are some records of Carnivals held before 1000, but the first certain evidence is dating from 1162 when people of Venice were celebrating the victory of the Republic of Venice against the Patriarch of Aquileia.

However, throughout different historical periods, Venice has been conquered and dominated by several external powers. Although the importance and significance of the Carnival have evolved during the centuries, there were some dark times when the Carnival was prohibited and even outlawed. During the rule of Hapsburgs, wearing masks in public was forbidden. The dominators were afraid of their political opponents who could have easily hidden their identity and organize a conspiracy against the Austrian dominion.

After these ups and downs, the Carnival of Venice has been officially established only in 1979! The mask makers have again started to craft these fantastic creations made of leather, papier-mâché, gypsum, with ornaments made with hand painted decorations, gold and silver applications, feathers, silk, crystals and precious stones.

Some of the most famous Venetian masks are: bauta, colombina, medico della peste, moretta, volto, pantalone, arlecchino, zanni… Each of them has a history behind and all of them were used in different occasions throughout the centuries. They were not only related to the Carnival but to the social traditions through different centuries.

Nowadays more than 3 million tourists visit Venice during the Carnival period that starts with “The Flight of The Angel” in San Marco’s Square. This year the Carnival will start on 11^th February and it will go on for two weeks. Let’s see who is going the win the “Best Mask of the Venice Carnival”, the competition that gathers mask makers from all over the world.