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The Close of Carnevale With Fat Tuesday Fireworks

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Below are a few photos and a short video from the fireworks display the city of Rome put on in Piazza del Popolo for the finale of Carnevale the night of Fat Tuesday (known as Martedi Grasso in Italian).

I apologize for the quality not being the best, but hopefully you will be able to get a feel of the festivities.  Hope you enjoy!

Carnevale Horse Show in Rome

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During Carnevale, I lucked up and was able to catch a great horse show that took place in Piazza del Popolo.  I felt as if I had been transported back in time to the Carnevale festivities of ancient Rome as I watched in amazement as the horses and stunt men performed.  The trainers and performers are talented, but the horses are really something else.

Hope you enjoy the photos and the video at the end!

 
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The Tale of Imaginary Lovers on a Beautiful Afternoon in Piazza Navona

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The city of Rome hosted quite a few festivities and events for Carnevale.  In the afternoons, Piazza Navona set the stage for theatrical performances geared to enchant the whole family.

A few days ago, I wandered into the piazza just to stroll around, enjoy the afternoon and take in some of the entertaining sights the piazza is always sure to hold.  I stumbled across this theatre company presenting a play titled Gli Innamorati Immaginari, or Imaginary Lovers.  I was again transported back in time as I watched them ride around in a horse drawn cart and dance, sing and perform in the ever so lovely ancient piazza.

 
A Carnevale tradition in Italy is for children to dress up in costumes.  You can find many small princesses, pirates, action heros and famous cartoon characters as you pass along the streets.  They are so fun to see!  Another tradition is for children to throw confetti.  They leave the cobblestone streets in an array of rainbow colors.  I guess I am getting old because I really didn’t see the point of the confetti, as it creates a lot of clean up in the streets, but the children seemed to really enjoy making the mess. 🙂

 

Carnevale in Rome

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We were able to take part in the Carnevale festivities in Rome this past weekend, and really enjoyed it.  As somewhat expected, Carnevale in Rome is not like Mardi Gras in the U.S.  All the festivities we attended had more of an ancient feel, and were more family-style events.

We took a little trip back in time to experience a Roman Carnevale parade, a thrilling horse show, colorful flag throwing performances, ancient dance numbers, a theatrical light show and various other performances in and around Piazza del Popolo.  The finale of the festivities was a delightful fireworks display held the night of Fat Tuesday, or Martedi Grasso in Italian.

Below are photos from some of the festivities we got to experience.  Stay tuned for extra photos and videos of the horse show, fireworks display and theatrical light show.
Parade participants in period costumes

Heart pumping drums

More beautiful period costumes

A feather violin???  Not sure, but he was amusing.  

These two scared me a little.  I think they have been hiding out underneath the Vatican for the last century or two. 😉

The little ones riding small horses were too cute.  

A beautiful, colorful flag throwing performance.  

Shall we dance?

The silly horse man galloping about got plenty of laughs.  

Jesters and fairies on stilts were standing ready for photo ops with all the Carnevale children.  

Another colorful drum and flag performance.  

A fire thrower entertaining the crowd.  

Gluhwein simmering away.  Warm, spicy, mulled wine was perfect for the brisk afternoon.  

Enjoying the festivities in Piazza del Popolo.  

Hanging Laundry in Italy

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I know this may be a little strange, and I can’t come up with a reasoning for my infatuation, but for some reason I have a thing for hanging laundry.  I find it so beautiful and nostalgic.  Perhaps because it represents another age and a simpler time to me.  
 
In Italy, laundry hanging outside to dry is a pretty normal thing (clothes dryers are scarce here).  Even though I see it regularly and it is part of a normal, every day household chore, I always find my gazes being drawn to the various, free-flowing fabrics, and I am always stopping to take way too many photos of other’s bed linens and undies.  
 
I guess the beauty really does lie in the simple things.  I somehow never feel this way about my own laundry when it’s hanging out to dry. I’m too busy missing my American clothes dryer at the time. 😉

Taken in Venice, Italy

Taken in Tivoli, Italy

Taken in Trastevere (Rome, Italy)

Taken in Burano, Italy

Taken in Rome, Italy