Veronese Carnival
Everything you need to know about the Carnival of Verona 2019
In the beautiful city of Verona everything is now ready to celebrate one of the fantastic events of the year: the Bacanàl del Gnoco!
On the first of March 2019 - in fact - the 489th Friday Gnocolar celebrations begin.
Rich in art and tradition, the unmissable Veronese Carnival sees every year the punctual participation of many citizens and tourists wrapped in a particularly colorful atmosphere.
The origins of the Verona Carnival
The Veronese Carnival has medieval origins and, exactly why, is considered the oldest carnival on the European continent.
As a result of a flood of the river Adige and the raids of the Lanzichenecchi led by Charles V, in 1531 the city of Verona was hit by a severe famine that caused dramatic consequences on the population: the reduction of raw materials, in fact, led to an increase of the cost of flour with the subsequent refusal by the bakers, called "pastors", to sell the bread.
In particular, the most serious consequences were recorded among the inhabitants of San Zeno, at one time one of the poorest districts of the city, who attacked the ovens and stole bread and wheat.
To establishd peace, a group of citizens then decided to buy food such as bread, flour and butter and to distribute it among the poorest inhabitants.
Among these nobles, one in particular, Tomaso da Vico - defined the founder of the "Baccanale del Gnocco" - took care of personally distributing bread and flour to the poorest and ordered it in his will (located in the "State archives" section in Verona) the free and annual distribution of bread, flour, cheese and wine in the Piazza San Zeno every Friday before Lent, which was called "Venerdi Consolàr", that is Friday comforter.
With the passing of time, this day assumed more and more importance so much to be inserted in the Veronese tradition.
And in these days feast is customary to celebrate the Carnival filling the tables of gnocchi with butter and cheese or with the sauce and eating delicious desserts like pancakes and "frittole".
In addition, the tradition wants to prepare the gnocchi at the square, with the consequent institution of the Friday Gnocolàr and also the first mask of Verona: "Papà del Gnoco", a bearded character, dressed in white holding a fork in which is stuffed a huge dumpling.
This year the prize of the symbol mask of the city was assigned last February 10th and saw Francesco "Franz" Gambale triumph at the end of a real "battle" for the elections.
The program of the Verona Carnival
If you are already in Verona, you are certainl living the way in which the city is preparing for this greatgiov party: in fact, for some days the streets of Verona are the protagonists of various colorful parades but, in reality, the atmosphere will start to heat up even more on Thursday 28th February with the inauguration of the Carnival Village in the San Zeno district, where until Sunday 3rd March there will be four intense days full of concerts and theatrical performances and enriched by the presence of flea markets and food stalls!
The real party, however, starts on March 1st, when from Piazza Brà - around 9.30 a.m - the allegorical wagons will leave with musical groups and dancers, who will cross the whole city celebrating the most colorful day of the year.
After Piazza Brà, the trail of the carriages includes: Stradone Maffei and San Fermo, Lungadige Rubele, Via Ponte Nuovo, Piazza delle Erbe continuing until it ends right in Piazza San Zeno, where until the evening continue the festivities in the company of music, food and wine and with the inevitable participation of the famous Papà di Gnocco.
Lastly, on Tuesday 5th March - at the Palazzo della Gran Guardia - the second edition of the great "Ballo in Maschera" is scheduled, which this year aims to raise funds for the "Smile di Beatrice" project of the Onlus foundation.
You can also buy tickets by clicking on this link: www.boxoffice.it.
Verona Easy Apartments during the Verona Carnival
The Verona Carnival is, therefore, one of the unmissable events of 2019 that is celebrated in the welcoming city of Verona.
To discover all the other events that make up one of the most beautiful events in Verona, you can consult the official website of the Carnival: www.carnevaleverona.it.
And, moreover, verifying the availability of our apartments you will find the most congenial solution to not miss this fantastic event!
Verona Carnival and Verona Easy Apartments are waiting for you!