When we think of the Venice Carnival, our imagination immediately runs to confetti, crowds in St. Mark’s Square, and lavish costumes. But if we scratch beneath the golden surface, we discover that this festival is much more than a tourist parade: it is a state of mind.
The true spirit of Carnival is an ancient ritual that allowed, for a few weeks a year, to subvert every rule. Welcome to the “theatre of the world”. Today we take you inside the secret history of the Serenissima, made of silences, mysteries, and sweet sins.
“Semel in anno licet insanire”: The Historical Meaning
“Once a year it is lawful to go mad.” This was the unwritten motto of the Serenissima Republic.
Historically, Carnival was born out of a precise social need: to release tension. With a mask on their face, hierarchies crumbled: the servant could mock the master, and the noble could mingle with the common people in gambling houses without being recognized. Anonymity was true freedom. The greeting was the same for everyone, without noble titles: “Buongiorno, Siora Maschera”.
The Most Famous Venetian Masks and Their Uses
Masks are not just aesthetic objects. Each had a precise “technical” function:
The Bauta (Casanova’s Mask)
It is the king of Carnival. White and square, with the “beak” detached from the mouth, it allowed one to eat and drink without ever taking it off. The internal resonance chamber modified the voice, making the wearer totally unrecognizable. Perfect for conspiracies and secret gallant encounters.
The Moretta (The Game of Seduction)
A small oval mask of black velvet, used by women. The curiosity? It had no strings. It was held in place by biting on an internal button. This made it a “mute” mask: the woman could not speak until she decided to reveal herself, creating a game of seduction made only of glances.
The Plague Doctor
Today it is an iconic costume, but once it evoked terror. The long beak was filled with aromatic herbs (thyme, rosemary) to filter the air from the miasmas of the disease. It is the symbol of how Venice exorcises its fears by transforming them into art.
Traditional Sweets: Frittelle and Galani
There is no Venice Carnival without the scent of fried dough in the alleys.
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Frittelle (Fritole): The originals have only raisins and pine nuts, but today you can also find them filled with cream or zabaione.
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Galani: Very thin fried pastry sheets covered with icing sugar (similar to “Angel Wings”, but much lighter).
Discover the Authenticity of Veneto
Do you want to know the secret addresses for artisanal shopping or find out which pastry shops make the best frittelle? Also, do you want to know which art exhibitions are on this month? Read our articles to start the year with style and organize the perfect trip.
Finally, for your first trip of 2026, choose the comfort and warmth of ATVO buses. We connect Marco Polo and Treviso Canova airports directly to Venice Piazzale Roma. Travel stress-free, with on-board Wi-Fi, and arrive rested, ready to enjoy the beauty of the Venetian winter.
