Venetian Carnival masks: history, types and meaning

Venetian masks are the very symbol of Venice and its Carnival. But behind the papier-mâché face lies a story centuries long, made of anonymity, play and even laws. Here's a guide to the main types, their meaning and where to find authentic ones.

📜 A brief history

In Venice, masks weren't only a Carnival thing: for centuries Venetians wore them for long stretches of the year. Behind the mask, class differences vanished — nobles and commoners became equal — and one could talk, gamble and even do business anonymously. It was such an important craft that it had its own guild: the mascareri, the master mask-makers. Over time the Republic regulated their use with strict laws; today masks come back to life above all during Carnival.

🎭 The main types of mask

• Bauta — the most Venetian of all: a white mask covering the whole face, with a jutting chin that let you eat, drink and speak without removing it. Worn with a tricorn hat and a cloak (tabarro), it guaranteed absolute anonymity, for every social class.
• Moretta (or servetta muta) — a small oval mask of black velvet, worn by women. It was held in place by biting an inner button: whoever wore it stayed silent, and all the more alluring and mysterious for it.
• Plague doctor — the unmistakable mask with the long beak-like nose. It comes from the doctors who, during epidemics, filled the beak with herbs to "filter" the air; today it's one of the most photographed icons of Carnival.
• Volto (or larva) — a white mask covering the whole face, elegant and simple, often paired with sumptuous costumes.
• Colombina — a half-mask covering only the eyes, richly decorated with gold, crystals and feathers: the most striking for photos.
• Commedia dell'Arte masks — Arlecchino (Harlequin), Pantalone, Pulcinella and the other figures of popular theatre, with their characteristic faces.

🎨 How they are made

Authentic masks are made of papier-mâché, moulded over plaster forms and then finished by hand: paint, gold leaf, lacquers, crystals and feathers. Each workshop has its own style, and it's an artisan craft passed down through generations. It's this care that sets a real Venetian mask apart from the imitations.

🛍️ Where to find authentic ones

Look for the artisan workshops of the mascareri, scattered across Cannaregio, San Polo and San Marco: there you can see how they're made and buy a real piece, often signed by the maker. You can also rent a full costume for a day in the spotlight. A tip: avoid the plastic masks on tourist stalls — a hand-made papier-mâché mask is a souvenir that lasts a lifetime.

Want to experience the masks for real? Read our guide to the Venice Carnival — dates, events and the water festival in Cannaregio.

Come to Venice for Carnival

An apartment in Cannaregio, a stone's throw from the water festival. Send a request well in advance for your dates.