Spectacular Venice Carnival in Italy: Venetian Masks, Pastries, and Wine

Sharing is caring!

The Carnival of Venice in Italy, also called the Venetian Carnival, is one of the best and most famous carnivals worldwide. Spectacular Venetian masks and luxurious costumes portray the gloriously opulent society of the Republic of Venice. 

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLAIMER FOR MORE INFO. 

‘This was Venice, the flattering and suspect beauty — this city, half fairy tale and half tourist trap, in whose insalubrious air the arts once rankly and voluptuously blossomed, where composers have been inspired to lulling tones of somniferous eroticism.’ – Thomas Mann

Are you planning a trip to Venice, Italy last minute?
The next Carnival of Venice, Venice Carnival 2025 is from February 22- March 4, 2025.

If you are traveling to Venice last minute, here’s a summary of the best tours in Venice, the best hotels in Venice, and more!

BEST EXPERIENCES AND TOURS IN VENICE:
Venice: Carnival Mask Workshop and Glass-Making Experience
Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace Access Tour (the most popular guided tour)
Venice: Doge’s Palace Reserved Entry Admission Ticket (the most popular entry ticket)
Venice: Grand Canal Gondola Ride with App Commentary (the most popular activity)

BEST HOTELS IN VENICE:
The Gritti Palace, A Luxury Collection Hotel (luxury)
Antico Portego (mid-range)
Combo Venezia  (budget)

Must-see traditional Venetian Carnival masks and costumes

I love Venice and the Veneto region (which holds some of the most gorgeous hidden gems in northern Italy).
But the Carnival of Venice keeps a special place in my heart. I love it so much that I have visited the Carnival of Venice twice. And, I want to go back again!

In this post, I would like to show you the most famous masquerade masks in the history of masquerade. In this article you will learn all about the Venetian masquerade and Venetian masks: types of Venetian masks, names of different types of masks, the meaning of Venetian masks, Venetian masks history,  facts about Venetian masks, and famous masquerade characters.
You will learn about carnival masks that will capture your heart for the rest of your life. They certainly captured my heart!

Stunning Venice Carnival Costumes & Venetian Masks

The Carnival of Venice in Italy is one of the most famous carnivals in the world portraying the long history of wealth and aristocracy, as well as mystery and playfulness.

The 10-day-long Venice Carnival starts two Saturdays before ‘Ash Wednesday’ and ends with ‘Fat Tuesday”, i.e. 40 days before Easter. During the Carnival of Venice, glorious Venice with its magnificent Venice bridges, and sensational canals becomes a stage of theatrical joy embodied in lavish Venetian Carnival masks and extravagant Venetian costumes. The overall ecstasy is spiced with delicious Venetian pastries and tasty Venetian wine.

VENETIAN MASKS TYPES: The types of Carnival masks, and their meanings

2.1 Volto mask

Also called Larva (meaning ghost in Latin) is an iconic Venetian Carnival mask.  Larva mask is a white Venetian mask that covers the whole face and depicts basic facial features (usually nose and lips) ensuring complete anonymity. It is a full-face Venetian mask. If someone wants to enjoy absolute anonymity with a touch of mystery, then they wear a Volto mask. It is a men’s Venetian mask and a women’s Venetian mask.

 Larva costumes:

2.2 Bauta mask

Bauta costume of the Venice Carnival

The Baùtta is one of the most famous men’s Venetian masks covering the whole face.  This Venetian face mask has a square jaw, a large chin, and no mouth. Usually, it is white or heavily gilded and often comes with a tricorn hat. Historically men wore it at political decision-making events since it guaranteed complete anonymity.

2.3 Colombina mask

Opposite to the Volto and Bauta masks, the Colombina or Columbine mask is a half-mask. Colombina Venetian mask is popularly known as the Venetian eye mask since it covers only the cheeks and rarely the nose. The Colombina Carnevale mask is richly decorated with precious metals, feathers, and crystals. This Venice mask was named after a Commedia dell’ Arte Colombina character of the maidservant and a mistress of Arlecchino character. Historically women who didn’t want to hide their natural beautiful faces wore the Colombina. Later in time, men started wearing it too. Colombina Commedia Dell Arte mask is a men’s Venetian masquerade mask and a women’s Venetian mask.

2.4 Medico della Peste mask

Doctor of the Plague mask is one of the most famous Venetian masks.  Medico Della Peste mask is a bird-like mask of the Venetian carnival with an extremely long hollow beak and round eyes. Historically A plague doctor wore it to prevent the spreading of the disease. This pointy nose mask is popularly known as the Italian doctor mask or Roman doctor mask. But in Venice, it is a Venetian plague doctor mask. Usually, people who are or just want to pretend to be kinky or hypochondriacal, wear Plague doctor costumes.

2.5 Pantalone mask

Pantalone costume in Venice

Another half-mask is the Pantalone or Pantaloone. The Pantalone mask is similar to the Doctor of the Plague mask for its beak-like nose. This big nose mask was named after a Commedia dell’Arte character of the old man with bushy eyebrows and slanted eyes. Historically Pantalone Commedia dell Arte mask depicted the witty and intelligent, but arrogant and greedy personality of a typical Venetian merchant. The Pantone mask is one of the classic men’s Venetian masks.

2.6 Zanni mask

Zanni costume in Venice

The Carnival of Venice mask called Zanni holds the Venetian version of the name Gianni. It has a short forehead and a long nose reversed at the end. Named after a Commedia dell’Arte character, this masquerade mask with a long nose depicts stupidity. The longer the nose is, the stupider the character is.

2.7 Moretta mask

or Servetta Mutta is an oval mask with a black veil and no lips or mouth depicting a mute servant woman. Historically aristocratic women wore Moretta masks wanting to seduce men by making themselves mysterious but also wishing to stay anonymous by hiding their lips. Moretta mask is a type of female Venetian mask. In other words, the Serveta Mutta mask is a ladies’ Venetian mask.

2.8 Arlecchino mask

Arlecchino costume in Venice 

The Venetian jester mask is another famous Venetian mask. The Joker Venetian mask is a colorful harlequin mask with a short nose and arched brows. Sometimes Venice jester masks have large collars and bells on them. This Jolly Venetian mask was named after a Commedia dell’Arte character depicting the servant of the more intelligent Pantalone. Commedia dell Arte Arleccino’s mask is easily recognized by an irregular-colored patched outfit and a big smile. During Venetian Carnivale people who wish to behave themselves as pranksters and bon-vivant wear Venetian Harlequin masks.

These are the most famous Venice Carnival masks. But there are many other classic Italian masks and well-known Renaissance masks like the popular Gatto mask (Venetian cat mask), Pulchinello mask  (a Commedia dell’ Arte Carnival mask portraying a lazy and sneaky servant who often acts as ‘the voice of the people’)  and  Scaramouche mask (another Commedia dell’ Arte mask portraying unscrupulous adventurer), La Ruffina mask (portraying a Commedia dell’ Arte character of an older gossipy and sneaky woman who is a lover of Panatlone character and former prostitute).

3. Traditional Venetian pastries

Pastries are some of the tasty foods you need to try in Venice. Frittelle Veneziane and Galani (Venetian crostoli) are some of the best authentic Italian desserts from Venice.

Besides, keep in mind that traditional foods in Italy and popular Italian drinks can take you to heaven in a blink of an eye.

3.1 Galani Venetian Pastry

Galani pastries are sweet fried crispy thin pastry strips prepared traditionally during the Venetian carnival.

The Venetian Galani are large rectangles with slits in the middle, made in such a way that you can’t stop eating them once you start.

3.2 Frittelle

Frittelle fritters are also Venetian highly addictive pastries. The original Venetian frittelle are fried doughs with raisins inside and sprinkled sugar powder from the outside.

4. Local wine in Venice

4.1 Vino Ombre

Finally, when in Venice you should try Vino ombre. It is generic, ‘on tap’, a white or red wine from the Veneto region, ordered by glass and drunk between meals. Un’ombra means shadow in Italian. In Venice, the phrase ‘Andiamo a Ombra (Let’s go in the shadow)’ means let’s have a glass of wine.

RELATED READ: How to Visit the Basilica of St Mark in Venice

5. Where to stay in Venice Italy

BUDGET: Anda Venice Hostel (Mestre), Combo Venezia  (Cannaregio)
MID-RANGE: B&B Rialto Dream, Antico Portego
UPSCALE: The Gritti Palace, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Hotel Danieli, A Luxury Collection Hotel 

6. Venice discounts and transport

• Marco Polo Airport to Venice City Center by Express Buss
• Treviso Airport to Mestre and Venice by Express Bus
• Shared Water Taxi from Venice Marco Polo Airport to central Venice hotels
• Marco Polo Airport from/to Mestre Train Station by Express Buss
• Venice Public Transportation: Waterbuses & Mainland Buses 
• 24-Hour Venice City Pass with Doge’s Palace & Public Transport

7. Must see in Venice & top things to do in Venice

• Doge’s Palace (Priority Admission Ticket)
• St Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour (Skip-the-Line)
• Doge’s Palace & Basilica Tour 
• 2-Hour Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica (Skip-the-Line)
• La Fenice Opera House in Venice
• Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice
• Traditional Shared Gondola in Venice
• Shared Gondola Ride Across Grand Canal 

8. Experience Venice in a different way

• Venetian Lagoon Tour and Galleon Dinner 
• Sunset Boat Tour with Spritz in Venice

9. Insider and off-the-beaten path Venice

• Morning Walking Tour in Venice
• 2.5-Hour Street Food Tour with a Local Guide
• 40-Minute Sparkling Wine & Italian Prosecco Tasting in Venice
• Rialto Market Food and Wine Lunchtime Tour in Venice
• Doge’s Palace Secret Itineraries (Skip-the-Line)
• Wine & Food Tour Near Venice’s Jewish Quarter
• Jewish Getto & Cannaregio Wine and Food Tour
• 2-Hour Legends & Ghosts of Cannaregio Tour

10. Best day trip from Venice

• Murano, Torcello & Burano Islands in the Venetian Lagoon

Although the Venice Carnival lasts 18 days, you can spend at least one day in Venice during the Carnival and witness all these beautiful Venetian masks and Carnival Venice costumes! And of course, taste some mouth-watering Italian pastries with a glass of fine wine in Venice!

Have you ever visited Venice during Carnival in Venice? What do you think of beautiful masquerade masks and carnival clothing in Venice? Which one of the Venetian masks is your favorite? Do you agree that Venetian masquerade masks for men and masquerade masks for women are utterly spectacular? Would you wear a Venetian carnival costume during the Carnival? Have you tried some of the Venetian pastries or wine in Venice?

PS: Have you seen pretty Venetian ladies in beautiful masquerade dresses and gorgeous Carnival of Venice costumes?

• Author
• Recent Posts

Follow me

Milijana

Author at World Travel Connector

Milijana is an independent female solo traveler from Croatia. She enjoys nature, history, art, culture, and spiritual pursuits. Milijana is a foodie who enjoys sampling cultural food around the world, and a hiking enthusiast who did numerous trail around the globe. She greeted sunrise from the top of Mount Sinai in Egypt after a night hike and said hello to the Atlantic Ocean from Finisterre in Spain on one-month-long hike. However, she is not reluctant to rent a car and embark on a spectacular road trip. She believes that some scenic destinations like Tuscany in Italy and Andalucia in Spain are best enjoyed by car.

Follow me

Latest posts by Milijana (see all)

• Easter in Spain: Where to celebrate Semana Santa in Spain - December 12, 2024
• A Perfect 2 day Vienna itinerary - November 28, 2024
• How to Spend One Perfect Day in Vienna - November 18, 2024