Curious Fact 1: Did you know the word “carnival” (Carne, vale!) translates as “remove meat”. A folk etymology derives it from Carne vale, “farewell to meat”⠀
Curious Fact 2: The tradition of the mask started in the 13th-century. Venetians wore masks to hide their social status and identity and socialise with whoever they wanted to freely. These parties were the only time when the lower and upper classes mingled together.⠀
Curious Fact 3: The main events of the carnival are held at Piazza San Marco. The best carnival costume and the best carnival mask contests take place on a stage here. (It’s free to take part in the competition!).
Curious Fact 4: There are 417 bridges in Venice, and 72 of them are private.
Curious Fact 5: Houses in Venice are numbered according to districts, not streets, making it very difficult even for postmen to find the addresses. The way they get around this is to look for a nearby monument or landmark.
Curious Fact 6: On average, gondolas are, on average 11 metres long and weigh approximately 600 kg.
Curious Fact 7: In 1608, the Council of Ten approved wearing masks only during the carnival. Those who broke the law were severely punished.
Curious Fact 8: There are 177 canals in Venice. The S-shaped Grand Canal is the biggest and splits the city in two.
Curious Fact 9: The San Marco bell tower, or campanile, was built in the 12th-century and collapsed in 1902. The tower was then rebuilt as an exact replica of the previous one. It is 98.6 metres tall and is the fifth tallest bell tower in Italy.
Curious Fact 10: The first woman in the world that graduated was born in Venice in 1646
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