Ten days celebrating with the most elaborate ostumes: masks, Commedia Dell’Arte-like clothing, just like in the 17th and 18th centuries. This is Venice’s Carnival, one of Europe’s most traditional.

Unlike other similar celebrations, who arose from popular manifestation, this party was born in the cultural and rich center of the city. It is believed that it began in 1162, when the so called Repubblica Della Serenissima had a very important victory in the war against Ulrico, Aquileia’s patriarch.

Because he was defeated, Ulrico had to pay to the city a bull and twelve pigs. This became a tradition and was incorporated in the “Fat Friday”, a great feast with dance, acrobacies, magic tricks and puppets. All that in Saint Mark’s Square.

Nowadays, the party is still held in Saint Mark’s Square – now led by the people and the tourists. The elite celebrates in the fanciest mansions and in the Castles of Gran Canale. There are sophisticated parties in which there is plenty of the most expensive champagne and also the best orchestra, playing the waltz, tarantelas and even samba. One of the most traditional costumes is the “bauta”: a beak-shaped white mask, a tricorn hat, a wide coat and a black silk cape, resembling a noble man’s clothing – It is very different from the costumes used in Brazil, where Carnaval is always celebrated in the summer.