Venice is such a magical place – and especially at Carnival time. There is just so much to see that you don’t know where to look: There are colorful costumes and masks, then, of course, there are the canals and gondolas. And let’s not forget the amazing architecture…
On our recent trip o Venice, I took lots of photos, so I thought I would share some of them with you. Enjoy!
Carnival Costumes
Venice comes alive at carnival time with elaborate costumes. Every carnival around the world has its own personality, and Venice’s carnival is all about the costumes.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, there were sumptuary laws which governed what people could wear. Clothing had to be appropriate to a person’s station in life and not be too extravagant. However, the rich nobles could buy a license to wear more luxurious items, but a person of low birth could not.
During carnival time, the sumptuary laws were relaxed, and people could dress as extravagantly as they liked. In addition, the masks preserved their anonymity and disguised their social standing. The costumes and masks became an equalizer in Venetian society.
Marvellous Masks
You can buy masks in Venice year round. Today people only don their masks during Carnival time, but in years gone by, they could be masked at almost any time in Venice.
By the 18th century Venetians could wear masks for up to six months of the year. They were worn to give the wearer some anonymity during certain activities such as gambling, flirting, or anything they might not have dared to do bare faced.
Boats and Bridges
Venice is made up of 118 small islands, 150 canals, and 438 bridges. The bridges allow people to walk up and over the canals to make the islands accessible by foot. But the waterways are the city’s main streets, and the only way to get around (other than walking) is by boat. You’ll find several types of boats there, however, Venice’s sleek, black gondolas are definitely the most elegant.
Gondola’s have been used in Venice since the 11th century and were once the main form of transportation. Today, however, their main use is to give tourists a romantic tour of the city.
Amazing Architecture
Venice architecture is a mixture of Gothic, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences. You’ll find pointed and round arches, stonework tracery, and pastel colors.
Homes are built facing the canals, as these are the “streets.” Often a door will open directly onto the canal so the occupant can step out the door and right into their boat. Of course, there are problems with having your house sit in water: the lower levels are wet and the water takes a toll on the building. But, somehow, these structures have managed to stand for hundreds of years with their feet in the water and I hope they’ll still be there hundreds of years from now.
Venice is a great place to visit anytime, but during Carnival it is especially colorful (and crowded).
Have you been to Venice? What did you think? Let me know in the comments section below.
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