While the celebrations of Venice may be the most well-known among Italian carnivals, the more intimate festivities of Verona are considered to be some of the oldest in Italy, tracing their origins as far back as the 1500s.
According to legend, when a famine hit Verona in the early 16th century, the nobleman Tomaso Vico handed out gnocchi, the Italian pasta made of flour and potato, to the poor and starving citizens of the city. After he died, a tradition sprung up from his will, ordering that from then on gnocchi be distributed to the Veronese inhabitants every year on the last Friday of Carnival.
Visitors traveling to the Verona Carnival today can still see elements of this unique history in the local parade, where the character of “Papa Gnocchi” leads the procession around the city. Don’t be surprised by his accessories, however-instead of the typical king’s scepter, this jolly fellow carries a life-size forkful of gnocchi!
If you’re hesitant to travel to Verona purely for the opportunity of seeing Papa Gnocchi, rest assured that the town is less than two hours’ train ride from Venice and can easily be incorporated into a larger itinerary.
www.carnevalediverona.it
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