CARNIVAL IN VERONA
Records of Carnival in Verona go back to 1531. In that year there was a great famine, which resulted in an increase in the price of flour and the consequent refusal of the bakeries to sell bread. This resulted in an uprising, which was instigated mainly by the people who lived in the St. Zeno area, the poorest and most populated quarter of Verona. A commission of wealthy citizens was nominated to restore order. They bought grain and flour which they distributed amongst the poor. Tommaso Da Vico is thought to have taken part in this commission and is traditionally seen as the father of Verona’s Carnival.
The story goes that he inserted a clause in his last will and testament stating that bread, wine, butter, flour and cheese were to be distributed to the people of San Zeno, free of charge, on the last Friday of Carnival, known initially as Casolŕr Friday and subsequently as Gnocolŕr Friday (a reference to the type of pasta made from potatoes which was distributed in the square).
As time went on, Carnival in Verona gradually extended to the other quarters of the city, with each quarter having its own Carnival Mask. These Masks were based on imaginary or historical characters or on a skill or trade.
CHARACTERS IN VERONA’S CARNIVAL
PAPA’ DEL GNOCO (Quarter of St. Zeno): Created in 1531, this is the oldest Mask in Verona and in Italy. The festivities take place on Venerdi’ Grasso, the last Friday before Lent, and coincide with the parade which is the most important event of Carnival in Verona. The parade leaves Corso Porta Nuova at 2pm and ends in Piazza San Zeno.
DUCA DELLA PIGNATA (Quarter of St. Stefano): Since 1884 the festivities featuring the Duca della Pignata have been held in Piazza S. Stefano, near Ponte Pietra, on the last Monday of Carnival, otherwise known as “Luni Pignatar”. The God of Gold always accompanies the Duke in the parade. For further information on the committee and the history of the Dukedom visit the relative pages.
IL PRINCIPE REBOANO DELLA CONCORDIA (Filippini Quarter): This is the Mask that represents the old quarter of the city on the right bank of the river Adige. The festivities are held on the Saturday of Carnival Week, and include the historical regatta on the Adige.
RE SALTUCCHIO E LA REGINA CATERINA (Porto San Pancrazio Quarter): The festivities are held on Shrove Tuesday.
RE TEODORICO – (Carega Quarter in the old part of the town).
IL
BARONE DI SAN ZENETTO E CAN DELLA SCALA
(San Zeno Quarter)
SIMEON DELL’ISOLO (Veronetta Quarter): Another of the old quarters of Verona, situated on the left bank of the river Adige. This Mask shares its festivities with the Duca della Pignata on the last Monday of Carnival when the parade makes its way through the quarter, leaving from Piazza Santa Toscana.
IL
CONTE POLENTON
( Borgo 1 Maggio)
MADONNA
VERONA (Centre of Verona): This Mask
represents the centre of Verona where the statue of Madonna Verona is situated
in Piazza delle Erbe.
FEDERIGO
DA PORTO (San Zeno Quarter – Boscarel)
LA PARONA DE PARONA (Parona Quarter): A committee was set up in 1969 to organise the Festa de la Renga, so called due to the distribution of salted herrings and polenta. The festivities are held on Ash Wednesday and mark the end of Carnival.
MASTRO
MUGNAIO E LA MUGNAIA (Quarter of Borgo
Trento)
I
VILLOTTI LAVANDARI (Avesa)
ATTILA – EL BAROSSIER E LA SO DONA (Quinzano): The Mask of Attila was created in 1982. El barossier e la so dona represents the oldest trade in the area, that of carter. The job involved transporting the materials extracted from the quarry at Quinzano.
ORLANDO
EL FURIOSO E L’ANGELICA (Quarter of
Borgo Roma)
RE GOLOSO E MISS GOLOSINE (Quarter of Golosine)
DUCA
DELLA PEARA’ E LA DUCHESSA
(Indipendenza – Santa Lucia Quarter):
CASTALDO
DE LA CHIODA (La Chioda – Madonna
di Dossobuono)
RE SOLE (Quarter of Borgo Milano)
L’ASENETO
(Saval Quarter)
EL
SIOR DELLA SPIANA’ (Stadio)
GIAN
BURRASCA (Zona Basson)
RE
DEL MAGNARON (Montorio)
LA
BIA, BEPO PATATA ED IL GENERALE RADECIO
(Sei Borghi – Borgo Venezia)
MASTRO
SOGAR (San Michele)
RE
DE LA STANGA
(Croce Bianca)
Project:
Alberto Cornaglia
webmaster@ducatosantostefano.it
Text, Researh and Advice:
Carlo Bortolon - Tiziana Gherardi - Franco Ballini
Marilena Garofalo - Marion Hogan - Anna Capasso