“Festa delle Marie” is one of the key events of the Venice Carnival, it recalls a historical fact that actually happened. It was the year 973 when in the church of San Pietro di Castello, during the annual celebrations dedicated to the purification of the Virgin Mary, twelve Venetian girls were kidnapped by a group of Dalmatian pirates. After a chase organized by Doge Pietro Candiano III, the girls were freed and brought back to Venice. Since then, the “Festa delle Marie” has been celebrated every year in the lagoon city with methods and rites that have changed over the centuries.
As per tradition, every edition of the Venice Carnival has its 12 Marie, the great protagonists of the official program of events.
The contest is in collaboration with
