We went to Carnival in Venice last weekend and wanted to share some of our favorite photos. Carnival is Italy's version of Mardi Gras - it's the celebration of feasting and merriment before Lent. Venice has a long history of masquerading, dating back to 1268. Laws in Venice prohibited masqueraders from going around the city at night, and in 1458, another law forbade men from entering convents dressed as women to commit crimes. According to Venice's Carnival website:
"The Venice carnival was a magical time for everyone and involved the whole city. It broke all the rules of society and State and gave the average man the chance to lose himself in revelry. This was an intense period for the Venetians as they donned their masks and wore their fanciful costumes. The Palace Courts brightened up day and night as they opened up their gates to all manner of parties, shows and musical events. Along the waterways, people would greet each other with a "Good morning Mrs Mask!". Personal identity, sex and social class were no more; all that mattered was taking part in the great illusion of the Carnival."
Unfortunately, it rained the entire weekend. However, the weekend was still fun. Thousands of people gathered throughout the city in costume, admiring each other's masks. Carnival in Venice is MUCH, MUCH tamer though than the New Orleans Mardi Gras. There wasn't much drinking or partying - it was much more of a see and be seen atmosphere.
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