Carnival of Venice

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History of Venice Carnival

The word “Carnival” comes from the Italian «carnovale», which originates from the Latin words “caro” (meat) and “vale” (farewell), literally "Farewell to meat" or from the carnem (meat) + levare (lighten or raise), literally "to remove the meat" or "stop eating meat".

The history of the Venice Carnival tradition began after 1162. The Republic defeated Ulrico, Patriarch of Aquileia in that year, and began a tradition of slaughtering a bull and 12 pigs in the Piazza San Marco around Shrove Tuesday to commemorate the victory. This celebration gradually grew and 1268 dates the first document mentioning the use of masks.