Shrovetide
In the spirit of Marco Polo: Venice Carnival has begun
The carnival season has begun in Venice. photo
© Luca Bruno/AP/dpa
The fifth season has begun: the carnival season has begun in Venice with a parade. This year, the legendary Asian traveler Marco Polo is the focus of the celebrations.
With a large boat parade through the canals of the Italian lagoon city, the annual… Venice Carnival has begun. This time the festival is all about the legendary Asian traveler Marco Polo (1254-1324), who died 700 years ago. The motto of the events until Ash Wednesday is “To the East: The Incredible Journey of Marco Polo”. Visitors from all over the world are expected, many of whom will once again dress in colorful costumes and put on Venetian masks.
The history of the Venice Carnival dates back to the Middle Ages. The tradition was temporarily forgotten, but was then revived. In addition to many open-air festivals, this also includes numerous evening masked balls.
More than a hundred traditionally decorated gondolas and other boats took part in the big parade to the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal on Sunday. Venice is also commemorating Marco Polo, one of the city’s most famous sons, with a large exhibition this year.