The carnival of Venice (or Carnevale di Venezia in Italian) was first recorded in 1268. The subversive nature of the festival is reflected in the many laws created over the centuries in Italy attempting to restrict celebrations and often banning the wearing of masks.

 

Masks have always been a central feature of the Venetian carnival; traditionally people were allowed to wear them between the festival of Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Day, December 26) at the start of the carnival season and midnight of Shrove Tuesday. As masks were also allowed during Ascension and from October 5 to Christmas, people could spend a large proportion of the year in disguise [1]. Mask makers (mascareri) enjoyed a special position in society, with their own laws and their own guild.

 

In 1797 Venice became part of the Austrian-held Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia when Napoleon signed the Treaty of Campo Formio. The Austrians took control of the city on January 18, 1798 and it fell into a decline, which also effectively brought carnival celebrations to a halt for many years. Carnival was outlawed by the fascist government in the 1930's. It was not until a modern mask shop was founded in the 1980s that a revival of old traditions began.

 

Carnival starts on February 2nd and ends on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday.

 

Throughout much of the Peninsula, however, Carnevale is an occasion for simple pastries, fritters of one kind or another that are quick to make, fun to make, and fun to eat -- there are three broad categories made throughout the Peninsula. Tuscan Cenci, Lombard Chiacchere and Roman Frappe sound quite different but look and taste alike; considering how fragmented the regional cuisines of Italy are, these closely related recipes may all date to the last time the Peninsula was unified -- under the Romans.

 

Today the Carnival is celebrated all over Italy and the traditions are kept as in the XIII century.