I Love Visiting Italy - Tuscany Carnival Season 2014
It may comes as a surprise to learn that the Florence Carnevale is hardly the most important one in Tuscany. But it is a good place to start. Sunday is really the best day to enjoy the activities. You'll find floats departing from Piazza Dante and multigenerational parades in the major squares and along the Lungarno Vespucci. One of the biggest events is the "Florence Carnival in the world" parade from Piazza Ognissanti to Piazza della Signoria that features floats coming from three dozen countries in five continents.
The walled town of Foiano della Chiana in eastern Tuscany claims it is the oldest carnival in Italy. It dates back to 1539. As is often the case, this Carnevale requires almost a year to prepare. In the old days participants threw chestnuts and salt cod to the eager spectators who lined the parade route. History does not tell us when this largess ceased. The town's four districts complete for the best float, many of which feature (or should we say mock out?) well-known personalities. The main square hosts a public reading of the past year's major events and then an effigy of Giocondo, King of the Carnival, is burned in the guise of purifying the local population. In contrast the city of Lucca near the Tuscan Riviera has just gotten into the Carnevale business. Their event includes shows, concerts, and parties in lovely palaces and villas. Lucca is also home to Italy's largest festival devoted to comic books in November.
Arezzo, a largely medieval hilltop city of about one hundred thousand in eastern Tuscany hosts the "Carnevale dell'Orciolaia," whose centerpiece is a parade with floats through this lovely city. You don't have to be Italian to recognize some of the most popular floats.
Tuscany's most famous and unusual carnival in Tuscany is held in Viareggio, an elegant Riviera resort about 60 miles (100 kilometers) west of Florence. This Carnevale is considered to be among Italy's best. It first started in 1873 and the locals have never missed a celebration except during the two World Wars. Blacksmiths and carpenters from the local shipyards proudly create memorable floats, some of which take months and months to build and can house an unbelievable 200 people. These floats are often satirical and treat a wide range of Italian and international and celebrities. Given the time and effort involved in creating these world-class floats, you will pay an admission fee.Wherever you go, whatever you do make sure to check out the fine Tuscany wine.
About the Author
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but prefers Italian travel and drinking fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and people. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his Italian travel website http://www.travelitalytravel.com which includes an expanded version of this article and lots more.
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here