Carnival Past
Ronciglione, Italy The Carnival of Ronciglione is the most famous of our region and has a tradition unique in all the world
An old Carnival poster issued in 1950. Carnival is undoubtlessly the most important display in the Ronciglionese tradition, it is held in the five days preceding Ash Wednesday since Thursday(giovedě grasso) up to Thuesday(martedě grasso). No show is held on Friday since that day is in Christian tradition, the Passion of our Lord.
This is a Carnival chariot.The dragoons. More than 600 Carnival chariot has been built since 1870. This one was built for Canival parade in 1953.
Il saltarello(little hop) is the typical dance of the Ronciglionese carnival.It comes from the French dance "Farandola". It was introduced at Ronciglione by the French army when in the latter part of the 18th century it was spreading all over Europe, after the French revolution. This picture was taken in 1956. We call that year "anno della neve" since a huge snowfall lasted since February up to March and Carnival show couldn't be held. But the Carnival Spirit who lives in each Ronciglionese heart was stronger than snow. So here you see twelve black ghosts dancing a saltarello during a white Carnival day.
Here the square we call "Piazza del saltarello" is crowded and animated in a normal Carnival night
Carnival