Depending on which history book you read, the first Carnival in Venice, Italy took place between 1162 and 1268, but didn’t gain popularity until the eighteenth century. During this time, the Carnival became famous for the elaborate masks that revelers would wear during the celebrations. However, under Austrian rule, the King outlawed the festival in 1797, with the wearing of masks being forbidden.
In an effort to introduce the European nation’s rich culture and history to a younger generation, the Italian government brought back the Venice Carnival in 1979 to great fanfare.
Year after year, the Carnival attracts more visitors, with over 3 million participants last year. Thousands of artists and designers compete for the coveted award, “la maschera più bella” (“the most beautiful mask”).
The culture and celebratory atmosphere are two of the many reasons to visit the Carnival in Venice, but for photographers, the elegant costumes and masks set against Venetian backgrounds make for some incredible fantasy style portraits.
Photographer Ken Koskela recently attended the Carnival and brought back images that left us in awe. The colors, the architecture, and of course, the costumes and masks make Carnival in Venice a travel photogapher’s dream festival, and Koskela shows us how it’s done with 20 remarkable photographs. You can also check out additional images on the gallery on his website.
The Venice Carnival is just around the corner and runs from January 23rd to February 9th 2016, so check out the official website to start planning your last minute trip!
See more from Koskela on his website, Instagram, and Facebook.
Yellow-costumed model on a bridge on Burano Island during Carnival
Gorgeous Carnival model in red inside a Venetian palace
Carnival costumed model sitting outside San Gorgio church
Carnival models riding in a gondola on a Venice canal
Flamboyant costumed model on San Gorgio island
Close-up portrait of a gorgeous Carnival model in a bright purple costume
Bright red Carnival costume in a Venice palace
Bright red shoes and striped socks at Carnival in Venice
Mysterious looking Carnival model in front of a bright orange sunset
Carnival model in an orange costume by pillars
Carnival model in red walking down a beautifully painted staircase
Gorgeous Carnival model locked behind a gate
Blue costumed Carnival model calling from a stairway in Venice
Red costumed model in a Venice doorway during the Carnival celebration
Beautiful Victorian-style Carnival model holding an umbrella by San Gorgio church
Green costumed model looking out of her hotel window in Venice
Green costumed Carnival model on Burano Island in Venice
A costumed couple during the Carnival celebration
Carnival model in black, white and red in front of a church door
Zoom shot of Venice Carnival models in red, black and white