Venice Carnival

Venice Carnival

Venice Carnival

pictures, history and costumes 

The Carnival in Venice is one of of the most beautiful carnivals not only in Italy, but in the whole world.

I have been to Venice during the Carnival more than once and I have a few pictures and information about it that I would like to share with you.

You can see the whole program at the official website, carnevale.venezia.it.  

costumes at carnival in venice

The fame of the carnival comes mainly from the beautiful masks and costumes that wander around the calli and campi during this time of the year. 

We usually link masks and costumes to carnival (and Halloween), a time of parties and change, we dress up to be somebody else for a few hours.  But in Venice it hasn’t always been this way… 

History of Carnival in Venice

history of carnival in venice

Carnival has very old origins, it probably derives from the Saturnali in Ancient Rome, a time at the end of the month of December when civil rules were temporarly suspended.

It was time of banquets and subversion of the social order: for a few days slaves were free and a princeps was elected and dressed with a mask and bright colors.

A few centuries later, when Venice was administered by the Serenissima Republic, wearing masks and costumes was popular and an ordinary affair.

history of venetian masks
venice carnival
history of carnival in venice
At the time masks were used to hide one’s identity during illegal meetings or activities.  For instance, the mask was used to go to casino or brothels.  Hidden under the tabarro (a mantel) were often carried arms. 
history of venetian carnival

For this reason in 1269 the use of masks and costumes was legally forbidden, allowed only during Carnival.

Bauta (the cocked hat with a mask that was open at the bottom and permitted to eat and talk) and tabarro could be worn at official parties and on national holidays.

In the meantime the Carnival (that lasted from Christmas to Mardi Gras) and Venetian masks became more and more important, and in 1436 was established the statute of mascherari, the artisans that create the masks.

Carnival continued to be a time of transgression, where you could do anything, with the anonymity given by the mask.

 

Venice Carnival
In 1776 married women were forced to wear bauta and tabarro to go to the theatre.
Venice carnival

In 1700, when Carnival was at its highest, new costumes became popular, those coming from the Commedia dell’arte theatre pieces, and they continue to be among the most popular: Pulcinella, Colombina, Arlecchino, Pantalone. 

history of venice carnival

From 1797, with the end of the Republic of Venice and the invasion of Napoleon first and the Austrian Empire later, the Carnival was suspended and prohibited. Masks could only be worn at private parties.

Carnival was organised again only recently, in 1979.

venice carnival mask

The carnival today

Nowadays curious and enthusiastic from all over the world come to Venice not only to see the beautiful costumes, but also to wear them.

It is possible to buy or rent a costume in the few ateliers that can still be found in Venice.

Around town you can see many stalls selling cheap masks, but true Venetian masks are made in papier-maché, not plastic, and cost from 30 euro up (they are artisanal works).

venetian masks
maschera veneziana
Some of the costumes you can see in Venice during the Carnival are traditional, with the white mask and the rich headgear.  Others are inspired by movie characters or exotic cultures. 
venetian mask
carnival in venice

Carnival is one of my favorite times to visit Venice; during about two weeks you can see costumes on gondolas, prizes are given to the best masks and all type of events are organized.

venice carnival photographer
And don’t forget the frittella, an equally important protagonist of the Carnival in Venice. 
venetian frittella
venetian costumes
venice carnival
venetian mask
masks in venice

Venice during the Carnival is particularly busy and sometimes it’s difficult to move around, but I think it deserves a visit at least once in a lifetime. 

venice carnival
It’s Going to be Perfect!

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Bolsena Infiorata

Bolsena Infiorata

Bolsena

Infiorata

Corpus christi

Bolsena, a medieval village on the shore of a lake with the same name, on the day of the Corpus Christi becomes even more beautiful with the Infiorata.

bolsena castle

The infiorata is an exhibition of drawings made with flowers, seeds, leaves and peat along the streets of the town.

(Bolsena is also famous for the hydrangeas, there are plenty around town and there’s even a festival a couple of weeks before the infiorata, dedicated expressely to this flower) 

Unfortunately in 2020 and 2021 the event was canceled due to Covid, but now it’s back in full swing and in 2023 it’s due in June 11, day of the Corpus Christi.

I was in Bolsena during the Infiorata in 2019 and I took loads of pictures, that I obviously would like to share. 

bolsena infiorata

but first, a bit of history…

In 1263 AD in Bolsena during Mass a consecrated host started to bleed, as if it was flesh. This miracle was considered proof that the body of Christ is in fact in the Eucharist.

So the following year Pope Urban IV established the feast of Corpus Christi, that previously was only celebrated in Belgium.

From that date, during the Corpus Christi the Eucharist is exhibited and carried around the towns.

In Bolsena the procession is particularly important because with the Blessed Sacrament there’s also a “Sacred Stone” that is taken around, the stone where the blood dropped. 

Moreover, since 1995 the celebration got even bigger with the Infiorata.

Getting ready

preparing the flowers for the infiorata in bolsena
light blue petals for the infiorata
Works for the Infiorata start a few days before the Sunday on which the procession will take place.
women preparing the petals for the infiorata in bolsena
Along the streets of Bolsena you can meet groups of women that separate petals from the flowers, the main material used in the Infiorata.
drawings used as base for the infiorata

The Infiorata and procession are held on a Sunday, but some groups start to draw on Saturday night, because it’s very hot during the day and it’s more difficult to work in the sun. 

drawing used as base for the infiorata
children working at the infiorata during the night
Creating the drawings is a team work, everybody is busy, from the youngest to the elderly. It’s a nice party of the town that involves everyone.
working at the infiorata during the night
preparing the infiorata in bolsena
Sunday
people working at a drawing during the infiorata in bolsena

On Sunday works start early in the morning  and continue without break.

posing petals for the infiorata in bolsena
people working at the infiorata in bolsena
women preparing the petals for the infiorata
infiorata bolsena
leaves used for the infiorata in bolsena
drawing a sun with petals at the infiorata in bolsena

Before

 

After

a sun done of petals at the infiorata in bolsena
watering the flowers at the infiorata because they stay fresh and don't fly away
Flowers are kept wet throughout the day, so that they stay fresh and they don’t fly away.
a geometrical drawing at the infiorata in bolsena

Here are two galleries of images (click on the arrows to see all the pictures) 

Many drawings represent religious images, but there’s more. 

The procession

At 4 pm starts the procession during which Eucharist and Sacred Stone are carried around the town of Bolsena, followed by representatives of the town, of the Church and of the communities. 

procession at the infiorata in bolsena
the corpus christi procession in bolsena
The procession follows the drawings on the streets. Only the priest carrying the Sacred Stone can walk on the flowers, the others must walk on the side.
a banner carried in the Corpus Christi procession during the infiorata in Bolsena
street of bolsena during the infiorata

Once the procession is finished you can walk on the drawings. If you are strong enough. 

Personally I didn’t feel like ruining these works of art that took days to prepare, just an hour after they were finished.   

a lady with red hair drawn with flowers at the infiorata in bolsena

Another gallery. I took so many pictures, and the drawings were all so special, it would a shame not to share them all. 

I was impressed by the quality of the drawings made with products found in nature 

and there are actually many people involved in the making of the Infiorata, with great care and attention

truly beautiful

It’s Going to be Perfect!

vieni con me!

G&G Wedding

G&G Wedding

Photographing

G&G’s wedding

portraits from a wedding in cornedo vicentino

G & G got married in Cornedo in September 2020.

The first part of the shooting took place at the bride and groom’s house, where they were getting ready for their Big Day, surrounded by family and friends. 

The bride was helped by her mother and sister while she was getting dressed.

matrimonio a cornedo vicentino
fotografo matrimoni vicenza
Servizio fotografico matrimonio vicenza
Fotografo matrimonio Cornedo
Servizio fotografico matrimonio vicenza
servizio fotografico matrimonio vicenza
servizio fotografico matrimonio cornedo
matrimonio a cornedo
matrimonio a vicenza
fotografo matrimonio arzignano
fotografo matrimonio vicenza
fotografo matrimonio cornedo
fotografo matrimonio vicenza
matrimonio cornedo
matrimonio cornedo

Because it was Covid time, the celebration took place at the public park near the Town Hall. 

It was a nice end-of-Summer warm day, and the location was stunning. 

fotografo matrimonio
fotografo matrimonio vicenza
fotografo matrimonio vicenza
servizio fotografico matrimonio cornedo
fotografo matrimonio vicenza
fotografo matrimonio vicenza
fotografo matrimonio cornedo
matrimonio a parco pretto cornedo
servizio fotografico matrimonio cornedo
matrimonio a parco pretto cornedo
servizio fotografico matrimonio cornedo
servizio fotografico matrimonio cornedo
fotografo matrimonio vicenza
servizio fotografico matrimonio cornedo

After the celebration we took some group photos and some of the newly weds, at the same parco Pretto.

The party then moved to Locanda Perinella, where the newlyweds entertained their guests with dancing, singing and fireworks. 

servizio fotografico matrimonio cornedo
servizio fotografico matrimonio vicenza
servizio fotografico matrimonio cornedo
servizio fotografico matrimonio cornedo

It was a simple yet elegant wedding, happy and joyful.

I hope my pictures will help the couple keep a nice and vivid memory of their special day.

It’s Going to be Perfect!

vieni con me!

Family portraits at the beach

Family portraits at the beach

photography session

family portraits

family portrait session at the beach

 I love the beach. The sand between the fingers and the sound of the waves just relax me.

The beach also has a nostalgic feeling to me. When I was little, we only took pictures at birthdays or while on holiday, and that is why most of the pictures I have of my younger self are at the beach. 

There’s little to say, the beach and the sea are very seductive, in every season. 

For this reason I like to shoot at the beach when I can.

foto al mare
Fotografo gravidanza Arzignano
servizio fotografico famiglia al mare
servizio fotografico famiglia in spiaggia
foto per festa della mamma
fotografia famiglia
foto per festa della mamma
fotografia famiglia
festa della mamma
ritratti di famiglia
festa della mamma
ritratti di famiglia
ritratto di famiglia
servizio fotografico famiglia al mare
servizio fotografico famiglia al mare
servizio fotografico famiglia al mare
ritratto di famiglia
servizio fotografico famiglia al mare
servizio fotografico famiglia al mare
servizio fotografico famiglia al mare
servizio fotografico famiglia al mare

Our children grow up so quickly, don’t let time fly by without creating photography memories. 

If you are interested in a shooting with your family at the beach near Venice, contact me at: tiakatty@gmail.com or 338 7732357

It’s Going to be Perfect!

vieni con me!

A walk on the Hills of Arzignano

A walk on the Hills of Arzignano

A spring Walk in Arzignano

The Camminata per la Vita (Walk for life) in Restena, Arzignano, is?one of those walks that are organized around Italy all year round, but mainly in Spring, when it is not too cold nor too hot, and nature is blooming, the perfect conditions for this type of activities.

camminata per la vita restena
camminata per la vita restena

In 2020 and 2021 the walk was suspended due to CoronaVirus. In 2022 it’s finally back. It’s a walk among cherry blossoms, old unbalanced houses, amazing wild flowers and ancient villas up for sale.

camminata per la vita restena

Usually at these walks there are paths of different lengths; here in Restena you can choose to walk 4, 6, 12 or 17 kilometers. Along the way there are some “ristori“, refreshment areas, where you can eat and drink something.

camminata per la vita
un ristoro

I really enjoy these walks because they take you to discover your own region; for example, I had never been before on these hills at just 10 km from home. And the view from there was breathtaking. Plus, you get to walk with dogs that are so happy that they run like crazy and children that proudly walk their first 6 km on a row. The event was a true mood-enhancing. At the end of the 18 km I could actually barely walk, but I was very happy.

This event is particularly important because it is also organized to raise funds for the research on Cystic Fibrosis or Rare Illnesses (depending on the year, it changes).

camminata per la vita arzignano
At the end of the day this dog must have run 4 times the distance

These walks are a mix of nature, food and socializing; they are a great way to meet new and old friends, spend some time in the nature and discover the territory.

camminata per la vita
Landscape and a farmer working: there’s no Sundays for them.

One of the next walks of this type in the same area is in San Zeno.