Carnival in Verona

The Verona Carnival: The Charm of the Bacanal del Gnoco

The Verona Carnival, or ‘Bacanal del Gnoco’, boasts ancient origins linked to a historical episode in 1531. In that year, a terrible famine struck the city and the people of the San Zeno district rose up in hunger. The revolt was quelled thanks to the generosity of the physician Tommaso Da Vico, who in his will arranged for the free distribution of food to make gnocchi and feed the exhausted citizens.

This act of solidarity gave rise to the mask of Papà del Gnoco, the “king” of the carnival, who still parades today with his iconic sceptre: a large fork topped with a potato gnocchi. If you are staying on Lake Garda in February, Venerdì Gnocolar is an unmissable event: you can admire the allegorical floats in the historic centre and honour the tradition by enjoying a plate of hot gnocchi in the squares, reliving a piece of Veronese history that combines folklore, solidarity and conviviality. 

The Verona Carnival is a historic event that involves and excites all the inhabitants of the city and attracts tourists from all over Italy and abroad. 

During the celebrations, typical Carnival dishes are served, such as gnocchi topped with melted butter and grated cheese or tomato sauce, and desserts such as frittelle, galani, crostoli, frittole and favette. In addition, masks, dancers and musical groups enliven the city, keeping the tradition alive.