The first carnivals, according to historians, took place in the 9th century and it was on the territory of modern Italy, where large and independent cities had appeared by that time. The very origin of the word "carnival" goes back to the phrase "carne levare", which meant that it was time to stop eating meat that was forbidden during Lent. As with other Catholic cities, carnival in Rome takes place in late February or early March and starts on Fat Tuesday. Its essence is in disguises and masquerade processions, and the leading motive is abundance, which should be enjoyed before Lent takes over.
For guests of the Eternal City
Once at the carnival in Rome, tourists are amazed at the scale of the festive events, literally, absorbing the entire Italian capital and its inhabitants:
- The main carnival procession starts at Piazza del Poppolo and continues along Via Corso. It includes riders and jugglers, characters from the Comedy of Masks and fire eaters, old carriages and important ladies, clowns and shepherds.
- In Rome, during the carnival, it is customary to taste wines and taste the best local cuisine. In any restaurant, a special festive menu is developed, and the highlight of the program is meat cooked in hundreds of different ways.
- A great way to please kids is to go to an ice cream parlor. An Italian delicacy made from the finest milk and chocolate.
- The crown of the carnival program in Rome is grandiose fireworks in the evenings.
Tradition and modernity
The main tradition of the grandiose winter holiday in Rome is to shower the participants of the colorful procession with paper confetti. Previously, it was not as harmless: centuries ago, participants in the carnival shot at each other with balls of chalk or plaster, which were called confetti. They injured people and especially babies, and therefore, over time, they were replaced with sweets, and then even with circles cut out of variegated paper.
The symbol of the Roman carnival in the old days was the bull, which symbolized strength and abundance. He was adorned with ribbons and flowers and taken through the streets. At the end of the holiday, the bull was slaughtered, and its meat was cooked and distributed to everyone. So the city said goodbye to meat and plunged into Great Lent.
The Roman carnival is more popular with middle-class travelers than the Venetian one. In the capital, hotels can be found relatively inexpensive, and flights to Rome cost less than to Venice.
