Carnival, a month of celebrations in Viareggio

FLORENCE, ITALY – Viareggio, the Carnival capital, reached the milestone of 143 years of its manifestation, and it does it in style with five extraordinary Masked Courses on the Avenues at the sea.

From 7 February to 5 March, the city transforms into the factory of fun, including parades of giant papier-night parties, fireworks, masked balls, theater, culinary events and big sporting events worldwide.

The triple cannon is the unmistakable signal that the party starts in Viareggio, giving way to the parade. Like magic, the giant gargoyles come to life between movements, music and dancing. At every parade of floats 200 thousand spectators assist spellbounded by the gigantism of extraordinary buildings. Five Great Courses Masked, concentrated in a single month of great celebrations.

Sunday 7th February: 1st Masked Parade

Sunday 14th February: 2nd  Masked Parade

Sunday 21st February: 3rd   Masked Parade

Sunday 28nd February: 4th Masked Parade

Saturday 5th March: 5th  Masked Parade. At the end of the parade reading of verdicts of  juries. Great Ending Fireworks.

The town – home of Lorenzo Viani, Giacomo Puccini and Mario Tobino – is surrounded by the hillside, the Apuan Alps and the lake of Massaciuccoli: it provides a unique ensemble featuring pinewoods, a colorful harbour, shipyards and a promenade.

One thousand years ago the territory was occupied by the sea and the inland was constituted by marshes. The town’s symbol is the “Torre Matilde”, heart of its history. It was built by the Senate of Lucca in 1550.  The birth of the first bathing establishment dates back to 1823.

Thanks to Maria Borbone has been built the avenue “Viale dei Tigli”, it was necessary to reach the city centre from her villa situated in the east pinewood.  In fact, the touristic activity began in Viareggio right in this period. Many men of culture have been in Viareggio: the poet Percy B.Shelley, Lord Byron, Manzoni, Puccini and D’Annunzio.

The 3 Km Promenade, where the parade takes place, is one of the focal point of the city, characterized by shops, cafes, refreshment points and Liberty style buildings.

Viareggio is now a tourist seaside resort with ancient tradition beaches and hotels, for this reason it is called “The Pearl of Tyrrhenian”.