Carnevale

"Welcome, my friends, to the grandest social event of the season! At peace or at war, in times of prosperity or paucity, Venezia will always have Carnevale!"

―Doge Marco Barbarigo speaking at his private party during Carnevale in 1486.

A game announcer at Carnevale

The Carnevale di Venezia (English: Carnival of Venice) is an festival held in the city of Venice that ends with the Christian celebration of Lent. The festival is particularly famous for its guests' elaborate carnival masks.

History

The Carnevale is an annual event held in Venice and believed to have started in 1162. By the time of the Italian Renaissance, it became an official tradition of the city. Civilians and nobles alike celebrated the festival by playing games and competitions, dancing, and watching performers in the streets or city squares. The environment was vibrant and people were garbed in colorful clothing and masks. The streets were filled with banners and bunting, whilst processions of people celebrated with fireworks decorating the sky.

By the time of the late 15 century it was traditional for the Doge of Venice to host a private party at Carnevale. In order to gain access to the Doge party one required a Golden Mask.

It was during the Carnevale of 1486 that the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze was able to infiltrate the private party held by his target, Venetian Doge Marco Barbarigo, and eliminate him with a Hidden Gun.

Trivia

• Even after the events of Carnevale, the citizens would continue to celebrate it in the Dorsoduro district for the remainder of Assassin's Creed II, albeit without fireworks.
• Ezio could not change outfits or capes during Carnevale.
• Carnevale was featured as a background to the events depicted in the theatrical trailer for Assassin's Creed II, although the events never happened in the game.
• During the E3 demo of Assassin's Creed II, bonfires were held in Carnevale, which allowed Ezio to use Leonardo da Vinci's Flying Machine.
• Carnevale was also depicted in the fourth Cristina memory in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.

Gallery

• 
  People celebrating Carnevale
• 
  Citizens dancing during Carnevale
• 
  Ezio winning one of the Carnevale games
• 
  Silvio Barbarigo holding the Golden Mask
• 
  Ezio entering the Doge's party
• 
  Panoramic view of the Carnevale festival

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed II (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: Renaissance
• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (flashback only)