We are all familiar with the Carnevale di Venezia, but there are plenty of other fun and interesting Carnival celebrations around Italy: one of these is the Carnevale Rinascimentale di Ferrara (Ferrara Renaissance Carnival).
Beginning this Thursday and continuing until Sunday, the celebration will take over the historic center of Ferrara – a UNESCO World Heritage Site - and the Renaissance palaces of the Este court to recreate and re-enact the atmosphere of the Carnival celebrations that took place in the 15th and 16th centuries, when the city was under the rule of the House of Este.
This year, the Carnival will center around the historical figure of Anna Sforza, sister of the Duke of Milan, who was married to Alfonso I d'Este, heir to Ercole I, the man responsible for making Ferrara one of the most important cultural centers of Europe during the Renaissance.
On February 12, 1491 Anna Sforza made her official entrance into the capital of the Este territory, as the bride of Alfonso, who became Duke of the city in 1505. This event will be re-enacted on Saturday, with an historical parade, Renaissance masks, shows, dances, fire juggling and flag bearers.
Throughout the four-day event, Ferrara will offer guided visits, banquets with typical dishes of the Renaissance era, theater acts, conferences, workshops for children and concerts of Renaissance music. Museums will be open and free on Saturday and Sunday.
To learn more about Carnevale Rinascimentale di Ferrara, click here.
