Carnival on the Dolomites

In Trentino, South Tyrol, Bellunese and on the Friuli Dolomites Carnival is a very important festival: Carnival floats, dances, stage shows, wood masks and ancient costumes – usually derived from folk tradition – enliven this Catholic festival that originally celebrated the end of winter. Here the true spirit of Carnival remained unchanged through the centuries.

Carnival on the Dolomites shows some distinctive features, like the allegorical characters: the Matazìn, the Gnaga of the Val Zoldana or the Rollate of Comelico, the Zussl and the Egetmänner of South Tyrol, and the Matoci of the Val di Fiemme. These characters usually have painted faces or monstrous masks and wear simple costumes with noisy bells, and are funny and mocking symbols of ancient rural traditions or of the harsh living conditions of the past.

Here Carnival is also a cultural event: you have the chance to admire true works of art like the wood masks, handicrafts worn by the main characters during the long and noisy parades along the alleys. On the ski runs of Sesto and San Candido it isn’t unusual to meet some skiers with painted faces who are happily descending the slopes, maybe holding a torch in their hands, whereas during the historical reenactment in Madonna di Campiglio you will have the honor of meeting Princess Sissi and her husband Francis Joseph in person.