Art and craft making traditions of Venice, a small group activity

Do you know where the Grand Ball costumes originated from? Come and discover with us, in this Venice group tour, the exclusive Venetian Ateliers and through these workshops, it will show you how the most famous traditional and carnival costumes and masks are created.

Venetian Carnival

The Carnival of Venice started as a celebratory event of Serenissima Repubblica victory against the Patriarch of Aquileia in the year 1162 at San Marco Square, which is the St. Mark’s Square. As it grows in popularity, many grand balls, such as the Masquerade Ball uses the Venetian costume and masks themes. The streets of Venice Carnival are usually full of people in Venetian masks wearing elaborate costume worn cloak as allegorical characters. It takes place in February during the time period leading to the religious Lent with open air parties and masked balls.

Venetian Mask

Mask has always been an important feature in Venetian Carnival. Venetian masks can be made out of leather, porcelain, papier-mâché or using glass technique. Originally the masks were made in simple designs with decorations and often it accentuates symbolic and practical functions. However now with most Italian masks, they  are made with an added application of gesso and gold leaf, which are hand-painted using natural feathers and gems for decoration. 

Venetian Atelier

Most creation of Venetian costumes and masks are born in the rigor of the Venetian traditions. We will be visiting workshops that use the tradition of Venetian “mascareri” using precious clothes such as silk, and velvet, which are both selected from the best local weavers. These Carnival costumes are designed and made by leading Venetian tailors, using the finest fabrics. In our tour, we will visit the real artisans.

Other experiences in Venice

Make the most out of your time in Venice and try our Food Tour in Venice or our Guided Tour of St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace.