Masks for the Carnival and other Venice, Italy General Tips

Favorite Thing: Wearing of masks in Venice (masquerading) began all the way in 1268 and it had to do with the relentless moral decline of the people of Venice. From the early 14th century new laws started to be promulgated to restrict masquerading especially during the night (men used to dress as women and enter the houses of young Venetians with "immoral thoughts"). Wearing of masks was limited only during the Carnival and official banquets. From 1608, the penalties were very heavy, for men it was 2 years jail time, 18 months galley-rowing and also a 500 lire fine. As for women, they were whipped from San Marco to Rialto, then they were banned to enter Venetian territory for 4 years and they had to pay the 500 lire fine.

Fondest Memory: There are so many stores in Venice selling masks, from the little ones (7 euros), made in plastic, to the standard ones - face size - from 20 to 75 euros, depending if they are made of simple plastic, or other cast material, to the more complicate to process ones, that could be a real Carnival mask, that can cost anywhere from 75 euros up to 200. These masks in the picture were phenomenal - the woman with a superb crafted mask with stones, and the man wearing a lion head mask, looking heavy and very impressive.

Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: All Venice guides tell you to start your trip in Venice by taking the vaporetto from Piazzale Roma on the first trip to Canal Grande, directly to San Marco, to see it from the water first, then get off the vaporetto and go to San Marco square and from then start your trip to the sestieri of Venice. They are right and I did just so, it is lovely to see San Marco, Campanile and Dodge's palace from the first time coming on Canal Grande. First time visitors and returning visitors should do so.


Leave a Comment