Wide view of Venice: Piazza San Marco - Riva degli Schiavoni

Charlatans and Tumblers in St. Mark's Square

by Giacomo Franco - 1550-1620

Charlatans, magicians, acrobats always have been the heart of the Carnival of Venice.

In the St. Mark's Square different stages for various types of shows, magic tricks, music, blossomed during Carnival time.

And suckers tourists coming from all over the (known!) world, gladly participated to the celebrations.

In the 17th century as of today, things don't change that much, after all …


"Intartenimento che dano ogni giorno
li ciarlatani in Piazza di S.Marco
al Populo d'ogni natione
che matina e sera,
ordinariamente, un concore."

"Entertainment given every day
from charlatans in St. Mark's Square
to the Populations of every country
which, from morning to night, ordinarily, everyone participates."

Engraving by Giacomo Franco: Ciarlatani in Piazza San Marco - 1610
Giacomo Franco: "Ciarlatani in Piazza San Marco"
engraving (1610)

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