Venice Carnival 2026 opened in grand style on Sunday, with a variety of boats and floats plying the city’s canals.
As per tradition, a giant papier-mâché rat in a gondola leads the way. Known as “Pantegana”, it is a long-standing symbol of Carnival.
This two-week festival attracts tourists from all over the world as dancers, costumes and music light up the city.
It refers to the fruitful period before Lent, the Christian tradition of fasting for 40 days leading up to Easter.
