Lago Maggiore: 7 facts about Carnival

During Carnival time Lago Maggiore and its charming villages turn into a cheerful feast, making the atmosphere even more irresistible. Just let yourself be overwhelmed by this frivolous feeling and dedicate yourself to searching Lago Maggiore houses for sale. Our team at Engel & Völkers is ready to turn all your dreams into a dream home.

If you want to properly get ready for Carnival, then you should know these few facts.

THE ETYMOLOGY OF THE NAME

The word Carnival derives from the Latin “carnem levare”, literally meaning “taking away the meat”. This term was used during the Middle Ages to indicate that starting from the first day of Lent (the day after Carnival) people shouldn’t have eaten meat up to the Holy Thursday before Easter. 

THE ORIGIN OF THE FEAST

Carnival is an ancient feast and its origins aren’t clear at all. Some people think that Carnival traces back to the Roman Saturnalia, others to the Greek feast in honor of Dionysus. And maybe our search should go back even to Ancient Egypt and the feasts dedicated to Iset, deity related to the maternity and the fertility of the fields. 

WHY DO PEOPLE WEAR MASKS AT CARNIVAL?

This habit has really ancient origins too. During the Roman Saturnalia, slaves were allowed to behave as freemen, but only if they had worn masks and clothes to hide their real identity. 

CONFETTI: THE SYMBOL OF CARNIVAL

The Italian name for confetti, coriandoli, derives from the name of a plant, the so-called “coriandolo”. The tradition wants that, in the Renaissance, people used to throw dried fruits from this plant, covered in white, at Carnival as if they were sugared almonds. And this is quite a fun fact, because sugared almonds are actually called “confetti” in Italian.  

AMBROSIAN CARNIVAL​

In Milan, as well as in other towns in Lombardy, Carnival lasts more days then it normally does, since it ends on Saturday, 4 days after Shrove Tuesday. 

CARNIVAL DELICACY

Everyone knows the typical Carnival sweets, but everyone has their own way to call them. The original name is chiacchiere and it comes from Lombardy. But, even if you stay in this same region, you’ll see that in Bergamo they call them gale and in Brescia lattughe. In the rest of Italy, you can find them also under the name of bugie (Piedmont and Liguria), sfrappe (Marche), frappe (Lazio), cioffe (Abruzzo), cenci (Toscana), galani (Veneto). 

EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN MASK

As well as for chiacchiere, every region has its own traditional character, let’s say the mask, too, strictly connected to “Commedia dell’Arte”. For example, Arlecchino is the original mask of Bergamo, which is obviously also known in the rest of Italy. Then we have Dottor Balanzone from Bologna, the grumpy Venetian Pantalone, Meneghino symbol of Milan, the Venetian Colombina (Arlecchino’s fiancèe), Gianduia from Turin and his fiancèe Giacometta, Rugantino coming from Rome and, last but not least, Pulcinella, symbol of Naples. 

So, are you ready for the most engaging and colourful feast of the whole year? Just enjoy the festive atmosphere, the masks and the beautiful panoramas. Then come to Engel & Völkers and choose your next home among our houses for sale Lago Maggiore!