To better follow the development (and decline) of Carnival and Commedia dell'Arte in Venice and other regions of Italy, here is a timeline, continuosly being updated.
1094 |
In a document by Doge Vitale Faliero Dodoni, referring the entertainment for the public, the word Carnevale is mentioned for the first time |
1162 |
Beginning of celebrations for the Carnival of Venice in Saint Mark's Square |
1268 |
Around this time in Venice, some revelers started to use masks and disguises during Carnival |
1268 |
Proibition of throwing perfumed eggs in St. Mark's Square |
1338 |
The Serenissima Government special law: "Masks cannot be worn after dark in the streets" |
1436 |
The Venetian Mask Makers get their official business recognition with their own statute |
1439 |
Johannes Gutenberg invents printing, making it possible to reproduce books in quantity, instead of almost unique copies made in Monasteries |
1347 |
The so called Black Death plague hits Venice, and kills 3/5 of the population in 18 months, but it wasn't the only time this would happen |
1458 |
The Serenissima Government special law: "Men are not allowed to dress as women or fools" |
1494 |
Albrecht Dürer invents image printing (woodcut) and the famous "Ship of Fools" is created |
1545 |
The first Commedia dell'Arte company - a cooperative - is created and officially registered in Padova: Compagnia di Ser Maphio |
1548 |
First Svolo del Turco in St Mark's Square. It will take 130 years before - in 1678 - a Venetian would officially match that exploit |
1564 |
In a Notary Public in Rome there is the registration of a Commedia dell'Arte troupe with a woman, with equal rights, supposedly |
1570 |
Caterina de' Medici - Queen of France at the time - invites the Commedia dell'Arte troupe "I Gelosi" to perform in Paris |
1585 |
Pope Sisto V bans the Commedia dell'Arte from the Church territories for moral reasons |
1585 |
The Serenissima Government special law: "No gun weapons allowed in the streets of Venice, blades only" | 1606 |
The Serenissima Government special law: "Masked persons cannot enter a church" |
1637 |
The first theater in the world open to every paying viewer is created in Venice, the "San Cassiano Theater" |
1638 |
The "Il Ridotto" the legal and official Gaming House in Venice starts its activity |
1660 |
First known fixed installation in Paris of a Commedia dell'Arte troupe |
1688 |
Last Bear Chase in Santa Maria Formosa at the presence of the Grand Duke of Tuscany Ferdinando de' Medici |
1703 |
The Serenissima Government special law: "Masked persons are banned for the whole year from gaming houses" |
1705 |
The Serenissima Government special law: prohibition for the Castellani and Nicolotti to continue their fights |
1718 |
The Serenissima Government special law: "Masked persons are banned during Lent" |
1744 |
The Ridotto, the gambling Casino in Venice is lastly closed because considered immoral |
1745 |
First Carlo Goldoni's play is represented in Venice: "Arlecchino servitore di due padroni" (Harlequin Servant of two Masters) |
1797 |
Austria invades Venice and declares and end to the Carnival celebrations |
1979 |
There is a revival of the tradition of Carnival in Venice |
1999 |
The Carnival of Venice gets a further renewal, using classic themes and more modern aestethics, thanks to Bruno Tosi |
And here go my biggest thanks to Herr Johannes Gutenberg who invented text printing in 1439, and to Herr Albrecht Dürer who invented image printing (engraving) in 1494, thus helping the diffusion of ideas.
