Traditional Venetian masks
Discover the most famous traditional Venetian masks: from the well known Bàuta, to the mysterious moretta and many other characters of the Commedia dell'Arte of the Venetian playwright Carlo Goldoni...
Between the most traditional Venetian costumes we find the Bàuta, a white mask covering almost the whole face, with a black cloak and a tricorn hat. This mask was very popular in Venice and was worn both by men and women because it guaranteed total anonymity as it allowed the wearer to eat and drink without having to remove the mask.
Another traditional mask was the moretta, an oval mask of black velvet with a veil that was usually worn by women visiting convents and was attached to the woman's face thanks to a button held between the teeth.
Another traditional mask was the moretta, an oval mask of black velvet with a veil that was usually worn by women visiting convents and was attached to the woman's face thanks to a button held between the teeth.
The Mattacino is another typical mask of Venice. He is a sort of clown, dressed in white or multi-colored, famous for firing "perfumed eggs" from slingshots to the people who was passing in the street.
But the mask found its official consecration in the theatres: with the 16th century theatre, and later with the most famous Venetian playwright Carlo Goldoni, some of the most popular characters of the Commedia dell'Arte, the italian popular form of improvisational theater, also called "comedy of humors", became actual stereotypes, perfectly reflecting Venetian society. Between the primary Commedia dell'Arte characters we find Pantalone, the rich and miserly merchant, Arlecchino, a funny peasant and illiterate character, acrobat and clown, always dressed with a colorful clothing, Colombina, the maidservant and eternal lover of Arlecchino, and Pulcinella, another comic servant character, as Arlecchino, typical of Naples.
Nowadays Venetian masks re-emerged as the emblem of the Venice Carnival and most of them are made in gesso with a gold leaf and are all hand-painted or decorated with natural feathers and gems.
During the modern Carnival Saint Mark's Square and the other main campi of Venice become the perfect stages for those who wish to be, at least for a few hours a year, protagonists of another life.
In fact, during the last days of Carnival, Venice teems with people wearing all kind of masks and disguises, happily invading streets and squares in search of fun: it’s possible to meet every kind of costume, from the 18th century noblewomen, to the most inventive and creative personalised modern costumes.
During the modern Carnival Saint Mark's Square and the other main campi of Venice become the perfect stages for those who wish to be, at least for a few hours a year, protagonists of another life.
In fact, during the last days of Carnival, Venice teems with people wearing all kind of masks and disguises, happily invading streets and squares in search of fun: it’s possible to meet every kind of costume, from the 18th century noblewomen, to the most inventive and creative personalised modern costumes.
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Carnival is one of the oldest traditional feasts of Venice, rooted in the
history and the culture of the most unique city in the world.
Re-launched
two decades ago, thanks to its mix of transgression, art, and fun, today the
Carnival of Venice is considered by its inhabitants and tourists as an event
not to be missed.
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SENSATION 2010- 6 senses for 6 sestieri, directed by Marco Balich, will carry you through the most beautiful city in the world, revolutionising your every feeling.
From February 6 until February 16, Venice becomes the kingdom of his majesty the Carnival 2010. A Carnival to enjoy Venice in every sense through the power of sight, the joy of touch, the thrills of hearing, the pleasure of taste and the exhilaration of smell.
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Carnival parties in Venetian private Palaces
Give yourself the gift of an exclusive
Carnival party in one of the
traditional private palaces along
Canal Grande during the Carnival
festivities, concede yourself the
(paid) pleasure of escaping from reality,
hiding yourself behind the
mystery of a costume or a mask.
Sweet temptations in Venice
Carnival is the perfect time to throw caution to the wind when it comes to partying, masks and desserts that are the delight of sweet toothed connoisseurs. It is impossible to resist the sweet temptations that fill bakeries at Carnival. There are fritelle or doughnuts with cream or zabaione, there are castagnole and galani of every type – a type of fritter- biscuit s that comes thick or thin, cooked in the oven or fried and sprinkled with icing sugar – vanilla flavoured and not.
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Venice Carnival 2010
Next edition of Venice Carnival will take place February 6th to 16th 2010.
After the great success for this year edition, Carnival "Sensation 2009", attended by more than a thousand visitors, it's confirmed for next year the artistic direction of Marco Balich.
When: From Feb-6-2010 To Feb-16-2010
Where: Venezia, vari luoghi della città
Where: Venezia, vari luoghi della città
Carlo Goldoni’s house
In the small gothic palace of Ca' Centanni, at San Polo, on 25 February 1707, Carlo Goldoni, famous comedy writer, was born. The building displays a small museum rich in modern didactic propositions, and a library that preserves ample documentation on the works of Goldoni, as well as the International Institute for theatrical research, and a small theatre of puppets, originally from Cà Grimani and already included in the Cà Rezzonico collections.
Carlo Goldoni - Venice Grand Theatre of the World
The magnificence and the
splendor of the eighteenth
century Venice relive
between intrigues and
passions in the multicolored
magic of the Carnival and
in the fascination of the
Goldonian comedies.
When: From Feb-11-2010 To Feb-16-2010
Where: La Casa del Cinema, Venice
Entry: General Admission € 6.00
Children € 5.00
Where: La Casa del Cinema, Venice
Entry: General Admission € 6.00
Children € 5.00
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