Carnival Venice

Venice's Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia) dates from the 12th century, reaching its elaborate height in the 18th century before being suppressed by Napoleon in 1797 — and revived in 1979. For 10 days before Lent, Venice fills with elaborately costumed revelers wearing commedia dell'arte masks — bauta, colombina, medico della peste (plague doctor) — that historically allowed Venetians to transcend social class. The masks were integral to Venetian social life for centuries — enabling gambling, illicit affairs, and political activities anonymously. The Doge of Venice himself wore a mask on certain occasions. Today's Carnival attracts 3 million visitors to a city of 50,000 residents — making it perhaps the most intense tourist event relative to host population in the world.