The mask is the definition of Venice. Its reputation is international. Thanks to the mask, the nobility has been able to live out its fantasies.

The most famous mask is the Bauta , which was originally made up of a hood of black silk, together with a lace cape worn with a tricorn and a white mask, the Larva or Volto. Men, women, the nobility and the bourgeois strode the streets of Venice in the Bauta. The Tabarro, a large cape, completed the costume and guaranteed total anonymity. In addition to the Bauta, the women also wore a small black oval mask, the Moretta.

In the XVIII century, the Council of Venice had even obliged the women of the nobility to wear masks when going out to the theatres of cafés in order to preserve their own reputation as well as that of their husbands. The Bauta and Moretta were not necessarily worn at the time of the carnival, but to pass incognito. On the other hand, during the carnival, other masks were worn, for example the mask of the physician of the plague. With a long beak like a bird of prey which was filled with aromatic herbs, glasses, and a wide-rimmed hat, he evoked to the crowd that mas is really insignificant. Starting from the XV century, the masks of the Commedia dell'arte, such as Harlequin, Punch, Brighella etc. were already being worn.

In the XVIII century, the carnival was a never-ending festival. Masks were worn from December 5 to 16 (the period of Advent), to be put back on again on Boxing Day, December 26. This was the official starting date for the carnival. The Venetian feasts were celebrated all over Europe. They ended when Napoleon's troops arrived in Venice on May 16, 1797.

After two centuries of interruption, a small carnival was revived in 1979. In 1980, the Biennial of Venice and the producer Maurizio Scaparro organised a theatre festival from 13 to 24 February. This mix of theatre and carnival fascinated the Venetians and progressively developed, attracting more and more tourists.