Carnevalone and Carnevalone Liberato – the two carnivals of Poggio Mirteto

The last few days have seen the celebration of carnival all over Italy, and while the Venice Carnival is justifiably famous the world over, there are many other Italian towns and cities with a long tradition of celebrating carnival.
Poggio Mirteto, the neighbouring town to Poggio Catino, has a long carnival tradition. In fact it is unusual, perhaps even unique, in having two carnivals.

The first is the Carnevalone, which this year celebrates its 154th edition. Many local groups and businesses get together and build floats and make costumes around their chosen theme, which is often a political one. As you can see from the video it’s a colourful and noisy affair! This year Carnevalone is celebrated on Sunday 7th february, the main parade takes place at 14.30, if you want a good view be sure to get there early!

Poggio Mirteto’s second carnival is the Carnevalone Liberato, which traditionally, and very unusually, takes place after the beginning of Lent. It’s a reflection of anti-clerical feeling dating from the unification of Italy, before which Poggio Mirteto and the rest of the Sabina was controlled by the Papal States. The people of Poggio Mirteto at the time strongly supported Garibaldi and his army, and resented the rule of the Papal states, from which they liberated themselves in 1861.

It’s even more raucous and lively than the standard carnival, so much so that the organizers, in the hope of calming the whole affair down a little, have decided this year, 2016, to cancel the main events and instead hold a series of exhibitions and debates on the theme of satire. Let’s hope the irreverent Carnevalone Liberato will be back next year in all its glory!

Villa degli Armeni – private rental villa near Rome