Masked in Venice

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Venetian masks have a long history of being used to hide debauchery in the streets at carnival time or during parties.

However, masked appearances also lie in the cultural roots of a city state that prospered in financial dealings that remained behind closed doors.

While wearing masks everyone was equal although some masks are heavily bejewelled and worthy of a nobleman. Some say even monks and nuns were able to thereby secretly indulge in forbidden passion.

The financial wheeling, dealing, decadent society fell into a state of luxury, indolence and moral decay.

Masks were banned in daily life, and then limited to certain times of the year. Finally, was only associated with religious events.

Whilst we were in Venice we passed a mask shop displaying the Tom Cruise mask from Stanley Kubrick's film Eyes Wide Shut.

The next day we found a mask/costume shop where we tried the costumes on and took photos (for a fee naturally). It's certainly something different to do if you ever find yourself in Venice.