Thousands of people gathered on both banks of the Grand Canal of Venice for the traditional boat procession on the first Sunday of the Venice Carnival, NOVA reported.
The carnival procession of boats, manned by disguised boatmen, set off from Punta della Dogana - the area where the Grand Canal merges with the “Giudeca“ canal - and ended at the “Rialto“ bridge.
The procession was traditionally led by a boat with a huge rat, which is a reminder of the plague epidemics in the city, but also of the resilience of Venice and the Venetians. When the procession reached the “Rialto“ bridge Traditionally, the huge papier-mâché rat split in two, sending colored powder and ribbons flying.
The Venice Carnival opened last night with a ball in Piazza San Marco, inspired by the TV series Bridgerton.
The Venice Carnival continues until February 17 and is held in the spirit of Olympism because of the Winter Olympics, which will open in a few days in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo.