Carnival masks They have been rediscovered in recent years, but the Umbrian Carnival masks have very ancient origins, dating back to the distant 16th century.
Carnival celebrations, where the everyday gives way to fun and role transgression, have very ancient origins, possibly connected to the Latin Saturnalia held more than 2,000 years ago. Instead, the name seems to have been adopted in the Middle Ages from carnem levare (to take off the flesh) to mark the beginning of Lent on its last day. Masks and costumes appear much later, between the 15th and 16th centuries, to emphasize the festive and sparkling character of the period.
In Umbria, parades of floats and festivals are organized in various towns and villages, probably the oldest being the Carnival of Sant'Eraclio, Foligno, begun in 1542 by the Olivetan Friars of Mormonzone. A people's festival that contrasted with those organized by the nobles of the area.
Also in the sixteenth century some masks appear:
.jpg/e9571273-0e35-1ff2-0713-76c7fd4e3cc5?width=456)
