The theme for Carnevale 2026 in Venice was the Olympics, the Winter Olympics being held almost simultaneously in nearby Cortina. From the opening of the Carnevale along the Grand Canal, the costumes repeat the pageantry of the Olympics.
This year’s Carnevale has been anything but normal. Piazza San Marco has experienced high water on almost all days. Fortunately, the high tides only last for a few hours. But when these come during the planned events it makes life difficult. Imagine spending hundreds (and even into thousands) on your costume, only to have to wade in water.
I can only compare this to the marvelous experience of 2015 when we had beautiful sunny days followed by acqua alta and SNOW. Snow turns everything in Venice into a magical kingdom. But when you step onto the snow and your boots sink through into water. It does make walking (and not falling into the canal) a bit of a challenge. To remember this great Carnevale, read our old blog:
Here are some scenes from the 2026 Carnevale. It gives you a true impression of what happens, the beautifully dressed strolling around the Piazza and along the small streets with locals going about their daily routine and tourist dress in their carnevale costumes.
Today is the end of Carnevale and is known as Martedì Grasso (Fat Tuesday) and the presentation of La Marie ‘The Festa delle Marie‘ (Festival of the Marys) is one of Venice’s oldest traditions. Today, it serves as a central historical reenactment of the Venice Carnival. The Carnevale ends with the singing of the anthem of the Republic shown here from 2019. The Venetians sing along making it quite unforgettable.
Historical Origins (943–973 AD)
The festival originates from two intertwined traditions:
- The Collective Wedding: In early Venice, a communal wedding for betrothed couples was held annually on January 31st (the feast of St. Mark) at the Basilica of San Pietro di Castello.
- The Pirate Kidnapping: According to legend, in either 943 or 973 AD, Istrian or Dalmatian pirates raided the ceremony and kidnapped twelve young brides along with their dowries.
- The Rescue: Led by Doge Pietro Candiano III, a group of Venetian citizens (specifically the cabinet makers or casselleri) pursued the pirates, killed them, and rescued the women.
Evolution and Traditions
To commemorate the victory, the Republic instituted the “Festa delle Marie”:
- Patronage: Every February 2nd, the state and wealthy patrician families “adopted” twelve beautiful but poor Venetian girls, providing them with magnificent clothes, jewelry, and a rich bridal dowry.
- The Parade: The “Marie” were paraded through the city and along the Grand Canal in a triumph of costumes and boats, ending with a visit to the Church of Santa Maria Formosa.
- “Maria de Tola”: Over time, the high costs and public disorder led authorities to replace the real girls with wooden statues (Marione). This was so unpopular that citizens threw vegetables at the figures, leading to the term “Maria de Tola” (Wooden Mary), which remains a Venetian slang term for a woman with a flat chest.
The festival was cancelled in 1379 during the War of Chioggia (la Serenissima and Chioggia) but was officially restored in 1999.
Marie of the Year: The festivities culminate in the election of the “Marie of the Year” (Maria dell’anno) at Teatro La Fenice, who then performs the “Flight of the Angel” in the following year’s Carnival. The Maria of 2026 is Martine Diop Bullo, an 18 year old from Mestre on the mainland. She will receive a Seguso Vetri d’Arte glass creation and, most significantly, will earn the honor of performing the “Flight of the Angel” (Il Volo dell’Angelo) from St. Mark’s Bell Tower during the 2027 Venice Carnival.
The Contest: In the modern version, twelve young Venetian women (aged 18–28) are selected to participate in a series of parades and events and the chosen Maria is presented in Piazza San Marco