TheHistoric Carnival of Ronciglione is one of the most important in Lazio, also renowned all over Italy. The “Corso di Gala” parades, held on the three Sundays of the Carnival, are the most awaited events in the rich programme.
The Corso di Gala, the parade of masks, costumes and allegorical floats in the streets of Ronciglione
Figures in precious handcrafted multicoloured costumes and masks march throughout the streets of the village, alongside majestic allegorical floats, accompanied by several music bands.
Red Nose masks at the Historic Carnival of Ronciglione
But the absolute protagonist of the Carnival is the mask of Red Nose. Every year, on Shrove Monday, hundreds of Red Nose masks dressed in white gowns and nightcaps, a bed pot in their hand filled with macaroni and tomato sauce, flood the streets of Ronciglione. They force all participants to eat the pasta from the pot and even chase them entering their homes through the windows.
Parade of the Hussars at the Ronciglione Historical Carnival
Not to be missed is also the Hussars rides with impressive knights in nineteenth-century uniforms. The event refers to a French Hussar Captain, who paraded with his troup in front of a local woman he wanted to impress.
Costumes and floats parade in Ronciglione in front of thousands of spectators
The contagious joy continues until late at night with theatrical shows and artistic performances, accompanied by songs, music bands and folk dances, such as the typical Saltarello.
A rich calendar of events is also scheduled until Shrove Tuesday, when the King Carnival, a giant papier-mâché puppet, is brought in funeral procession and then put on a hot air balloon.
The first known document referring to the Historic Carnival of Ronciglione, among the ten most beautiful carnivals in Italy, dates back to 1748. The celebration has certainly been inspired, since then, by the Renaissance and Baroque Roman Carnival described by Wolfgang Goethe, at the end of the eighteenth century, in his book “Italian Journey”.
Over time, the community of Ronciglione has always been keeping their passionate enthusiasm for the Carnival alive.