Curious And Unusual - Rome's Carnival

	~ Curious And Unusual ~ - 11 - Rome's Carnival memories of a bygone tradition

Up to the late 19th century, Rome's Carnival used to be one of the most important happenings in Italy. Although this custom died out over one century ago, it still represents an important memory among the city's old folk traditions. It consisted of a huge public festival that lasted eight days, and ended on the night of Mardi Gras, with the beginning of Lent. Actually, the celebrations started eleven days earlier, i.e. on Saturday, but since races and fancy costumes were forbidden on Fridays and Sundays, the actual Carnival days were only eight, according to the following schedule:

SAT	SUN	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRY	SAT	SUN	MON	MARDI GRAS

The use of holding fancy events before Lent began during the 10th century, although in those days the festival consisted of games and tournaments, which only later turned into street celebrations. It soon became one of the most awaited events of the year, which also people from other places came to Rome for. During the Renaissance, the fame of Rome's Carnival was even greater than that of the renowned Carnival of Venice!

The importance of this festival for roman people was enhanced by the fact that only during this short period some austere laws concerning public order, mainly based on religious principles, could be broken. The police was strict in having them observed during the rest of the year, particularly during the forthcoming Lent, when even theatre plays were forbidden not to disturb the Easter spirit. Therefore, during Carnival the people could take some liberties, also towards the ruling classes (the clergy and the noble), which in other periods of the year would have caused an arrest, or worse. And despite Carnival too had its own laws and rules, it was not unlikely to indulge in excesses of all kinds (food, wine, sex, violence), which caused several people, not only of the low class, to die or to fall ill. And under many popes, but particularly under Sixtus V, Carnival was a time in which the executioner was given extra work.	a scene of Rome's carnival, from a watercolour by Achille Pinelli (c.1835)

The importance of this festival for roman people was enhanced by the fact that only during this short period some austere laws concerning public order, mainly based on religious principles, could be broken. The police was strict in having them observed during the rest of the year, particularly during the forthcoming Lent, when even theatre plays were forbidden not to disturb the Easter spirit.
Therefore, during Carnival the people could take some liberties, also towards the ruling classes (the clergy and the noble), which in other periods of the year would have caused an arrest, or worse. And despite Carnival too had its own laws and rules, it was not unlikely to indulge in excesses of all kinds (food, wine, sex, violence), which caused several people, not only of the low class, to die or to fall ill. And under many popes, but particularly under Sixtus V, Carnival was a time in which the executioner was given extra work.

a scene of Rome's carnival, from a watercolour by Achille Pinelli (c.1835)

However, the celebrations did not take place automatically: every year the people awaited a specific edict by the pope, which gave the permission to hold the festival. Usually, during the Jubilees (or Holy Years) the whole program was cancelled; no theatre plays nor dances nor any other fancy event took place in any part of the year, replaced by a great number of religious rites, processions, and so on. Also the death of a pope could cause the carnival to be cancelled; for instance when Leo XII passed away, in 1829, no celebration at all was held.

piazza Navona (the oval enclosure) in the 1400s	Furthermore, during these days many popes feared revolts, because the opportunity of going around wearing masks made rebels and outlaws not easily recognizable. For this reason, in times of unpopular measures, such as when new taxes were issued, any pretext could be used to cancel fancy costume celebrations and parades. For instance, in 1837 the official reason claimed for the ban was an outbreak of cholera. The first Carnival celebrations were held in piazza Navona, still called platea in Agone, where since the Middle Ages the Municipality organized bullfights and knight tournaments; the latter consisted in hitting a revolving target (the so-called Saracen) or variants such as the game of the ring (i.e. to hit a ring hanging from a large tub filled with water, that spilt on the horseman).

piazza Navona (the oval enclosure) in the 1400s

Furthermore, during these days many popes feared revolts, because the opportunity of going around wearing masks made rebels and outlaws not easily recognizable.
For this reason, in times of unpopular measures, such as when new taxes were issued, any pretext could be used to cancel fancy costume celebrations and parades. For instance, in 1837 the official reason claimed for the ban was an outbreak of cholera.

The first Carnival celebrations were held in piazza Navona, still called platea in Agone, where since the Middle Ages the Municipality organized bullfights and knight tournaments; the latter consisted in hitting a revolving target (the so-called Saracen) or variants such as the game of the ring (i.e. to hit a ring hanging from a large tub filled with water, that spilt on the horseman).

After some time, games were held also by Testaccio Hill, next to the south-western boundary of the old city walls, practically a desertic area. Besides the aforesaid entertainments, on this spot another blood-shedding event took place, known as the rolling of the pigs. A number of small carts carrying alive pigs were towed on top of the hill, from where they were pushed along its steep side; rolling down, the carts tilted and smashed, while at the bottom of the hill a great crowd gathered, competing for the animals (or what was left of them) in a huge and bloody brawl. Around the mid 1400s pope Paul II had the celebrations moved; as he came from Venice, he took the occasion for enhancing the prestige of his newly built Palazzo Venezia, in piazza Venezia.	Monte Testaccio in a 16th century etching: a carnival bullfight is in progress

After some time, games were held also by Testaccio Hill, next to the south-western boundary of the old city walls, practically a desertic area. Besides the aforesaid entertainments, on this spot another blood-shedding event took place, known as the rolling of the pigs.
A number of small carts carrying alive pigs were towed on top of the hill, from where they were pushed along its steep side; rolling down, the carts tilted and smashed, while at the bottom of the hill a great crowd gathered, competing for the animals (or what was left of them) in a huge and bloody brawl.

Around the mid 1400s pope Paul II had the celebrations moved; as he came from Venice, he took the occasion for enhancing the prestige of his newly built Palazzo Venezia, in piazza Venezia.

Monte Testaccio in a 16th century etching: a carnival bullfight is in progress

The Game Of The Ring (detail), etching by Bartolomeo Pinelli, 1825	The chosen site of the carnival festival was the adjacent via del Corso, in those times still called via Lata (these were the city's northern suburbs, during the Renaissance), which at an even earlier stage, i.e. in ancient Rome, was the first stretch of the Flaminian way. Here the common people's fantasy gave birth to another bizarre and rather cruel competition: a race along the 1.5 Km-long street (about 1 mile), run by dwarfs, cripple and deformed participants, ...and elderly Jews. The people enjoyed watching the strange competitors, and made fun of them, also throwing all sorts of trash at them. In 1667 Clement IX put an end to this barbarous custom, but ever since the Jews were charged for most of the carnival's expenses, and had to endure the shame of the festival's opening ceremony.

The Game Of The Ring (detail), etching by Bartolomeo Pinelli, 1825

The chosen site of the carnival festival was the adjacent via del Corso, in those times still called via Lata (these were the city's northern suburbs, during the Renaissance), which at an even earlier stage, i.e. in ancient Rome, was the first stretch of the Flaminian way.
Here the common people's fantasy gave birth to another bizarre and rather cruel competition: a race along the 1.5 Km-long street (about 1 mile), run by dwarfs, cripple and deformed participants, ...and elderly Jews. The people enjoyed watching the strange competitors, and made fun of them, also throwing all sorts of trash at them.
In 1667 Clement IX put an end to this barbarous custom, but ever since the Jews were charged for most of the carnival's expenses, and had to endure the shame of the festival's opening ceremony.

The Chief Rabbi of the community went to the Town Hall, on the Capitolium Hill, and kneeling before the Senator and the Conservators, i.e. Rome's public administrators, he pronounced a declaration of self-contempt, to which the Senator replied with the words: Go! For this year we tolerate you, and gave the head of the roman Jews a kick in his rear! But besides this, also harmless events took place: fancy costume parades (characters inspired by the Commedia dell'Arte, such as Harlequin, were particularly popular), dances that lasted all night, the throwing of pellets made of coloured chalk called confetti, and small fragments of coloured paper called sbruffi.	The Candle Race in Via del Corso (detail), by I. Caffi, c.1850

The Chief Rabbi of the community went to the Town Hall, on the Capitolium Hill, and kneeling before the Senator and the Conservators, i.e. Rome's public administrators, he pronounced a declaration of self-contempt, to which the Senator replied with the words: Go! For this year we tolerate you, and gave the head of the roman Jews a kick in his rear!
But besides this, also harmless events took place: fancy costume parades (characters inspired by the Commedia dell'Arte, such as Harlequin, were particularly popular), dances that lasted all night, the throwing of pellets made of coloured chalk called confetti, and small fragments of coloured paper called sbruffi.

The Candle Race in Via del Corso (detail), by I. Caffi, c.1850

people wearing masks (Jan Miel, Rome's Carnival, 1653); the ones below wear Swiss Guard costumes	The final act of Rome's Carnival, on the night of Mardi Gras, was the charming Candle Race, in which participants carried a candle or a small lantern and, as they ran, they tried to put out other people's lights. During the day, many wore fancy costumes. After sunset this was still allowed, but without wearing a mask, for security reasons; these masks, made of wax or papier-maché, were so popular that the sellers made a real business out of them over the carnival days. Also priests, friars and nuns could have fun, yet within their own convents (not in the streets); they could enjoy music, dances, rich meals, and even wear fancy clothes, if they were not outrageous. The only fancy garments that enclosed nuns were allowed to wear, though, were the actual clothes of their own confessors!

people wearing masks (Jan Miel, Rome's Carnival, 1653);
the ones below wear Swiss Guard costumes

The final act of Rome's Carnival, on the night of Mardi Gras, was the charming Candle Race, in which participants carried a candle or a small lantern and, as they ran, they tried to put out other people's lights.

During the day, many wore fancy costumes. After sunset this was still allowed, but without wearing a mask, for security reasons; these masks, made of wax or papier-maché, were so popular that the sellers made a real business out of them over the carnival days.
Also priests, friars and nuns could have fun, yet within their own convents (not in the streets); they could enjoy music, dances, rich meals, and even wear fancy clothes, if they were not outrageous. The only fancy garments that enclosed nuns were allowed to wear, though, were the actual clothes of their own confessors!

The most awaited event was the Barbary Race, i.e. run by Barbary horses (a North African breed), somewhat low but rather muscular; among the roman folk, this race had replaced the one run by freaks, no longer allowed. It was held eight times, one for each of the carnival days, and it took place just before sunset. The Barbary horses raced without a jokey, starting from piazza del Popolo and reaching at full speed the opposite end of via del Corso, piazza Venezia, which used to be much smaller than the vast place it is now. Here a tarpaulin was hung so to stop the horses, while a number of grooms, boasting their courage and strength, dashed among the animals in the attempt of clutching them (the so-called catching of the Barbaries), amidst a great chaos. As a prize, the owner of the winning horse was awarded an embroidered banner, made of precious fabric, obviously payed for by the Jews.	The Barbary Horses' Start (detail), painting by G.F.Perry, 1827

The most awaited event was the Barbary Race, i.e. run by Barbary horses (a North African breed), somewhat low but rather muscular; among the roman folk, this race had replaced the one run by freaks, no longer allowed. It was held eight times, one for each of the carnival days, and it took place just before sunset. The Barbary horses raced without a jokey, starting from piazza del Popolo and reaching at full speed the opposite end of via del Corso, piazza Venezia, which used to be much smaller than the vast place it is now. Here a tarpaulin was hung so to stop the horses, while a number of grooms, boasting their courage and strength, dashed among the animals in the attempt of clutching them (the so-called catching of the Barbaries), amidst a great chaos.
As a prize, the owner of the winning horse was awarded an embroidered banner, made of precious fabric, obviously payed for by the Jews.

The Barbary Horses' Start (detail), painting by G.F.Perry, 1827

the catching of the Barbaries in Piazza Venezia, detail from a watercolour by Achille Pinelli, c.1835	What made the race very dangerous was the narrow width of the street, completely packed with spectators. For this reason, in 1665 pope Alexander VII had an ancient arch that crossed via del Corso, known as the Arch of Portugal (see There Once Was In Rome...), taken down, as it caused a bottleneck midway along the course. The high class watched the race from the many balconies (on this occasion they were rented), but most of the crowd stood in the street, cramming along both sides of the roadway on a step that acted as a tall and narrow pavement, now no longer there. Rome's Carnival (detail), etching by Bartolomeo Pinelli, 1834

the catching of the Barbaries in Piazza Venezia,
detail from a watercolour by Achille Pinelli, c.1835

What made the race very dangerous was the narrow width of the street, completely packed with spectators. For this reason, in 1665 pope Alexander VII had an ancient arch that crossed via del Corso, known as the Arch of Portugal (see There Once Was In Rome...), taken down, as it caused a bottleneck midway along the course.
The high class watched the race from the many balconies (on this occasion they were rented), but most of the crowd stood in the street, cramming along both sides of the roadway on a step that acted as a tall and narrow pavement, now no longer there.

Rome's Carnival (detail), etching by Bartolomeo Pinelli, 1834

In 1874, during the race a young boy thoughtlessly crossed the street while a horse was coming, and died trampled under the eyes of the royal family. King Victor Emmanuel II had the event discontinued, and it was never held again. This marked the end of the race, but also the end of Rome's Carnival, as they were so closely related. Even poet Trilussa wrote in one of his sonnets, Er carnovale de mò ("Nowadays' Carnival"), in 1890:

Leva er tarappattà, leva la gente,
leva le corze... la bardoria è morta,
er carnovale s'ariduce a gnente.

Dicheno bene assai li mi' padroni:
de tutt'er carnovale de 'na vorta
che ciarimane mò? 'N par de... vejoni.

No more din, no more crowd,
no more races... the fun is dead,
Carnival turns into nothing.

My masters are right in saying that
all is left of what Carnival
once used to be, is but a few parties.1

1. - A play on words: un par de vejoni means "a few parties", but un par de cojoni (the expression actually understood, which literally means "a pair of bullocks") is a common and rather rude way for saying "absolutely nothing".

via del Corso, as it is today

During the 20th century, only a vague reminiscence of these happenings lingered in the name of via del Corso.
In very recent years, though, attempts of reviving some of Rome's Carnival traditions have been made: street parades, classic plays of the 16th and 17th centuries whose characters gave origin to some of the most popular costumes, and other events are scheduled in some of the city's historical squares, particularly over the weekend before Mardi Gras.

Rome's Carnival in piazza Navona (2009): fancy costumes and a classic Commedia dell'Arte play (right →)