The second Sunday of the venetian carnival, everyone gathers in Saint Mark’s square to assist at the famous Flight of the Angel. What is this? The winner of the contest of the Marias, of the previous edition of the Venice carnival, jumps, attached with a rope, from the tower in Saint Mark’s square to reach the Doge’s palace.
The flight of the angel takes place the second Sunday of the Carnival. The winner of the contest of the Marias, of the previous edition of the Venice carnival, jumps, attached with a rope, from the tower in Saint Mark’s square to reach the Doge’s palace.
Not everyone knows that this flight has an ancient tradition, and tragic in some ways. In the 16th century, during the carnival, a young turkish acrobat, just with a barbell, was able to reach the bell cell of Saint Mark’s tower walking above this long rope from a boat anchored at the dock of the Piazzetta. Going down instead, he was able to reach the Doge’s Palace, paying homage to the Doge. After this, named the flight of the Turkish, this event became official for the next editions and took place on Thursday before Lent. In 1759, this event turned intoa tragedy: the acrobat fell down into the scary crowd. After this accident, this event was banished. Since the next edition, the acrobat was replaced by a wood dove who , during the journey, released flowers and confetti to the crowd.
The flight of the Angel.
The winner of the Marias contest in 2017, Elisa Costantini, will be the angel of the 2018 edition.
Elisa Costantini will have the honor to fly down in Saint Mark’s square.
For more info, ask at the reception.
