The Carnival of Venice is a 40 day celebration held every year in Venice, Italy which ends with the start of Lent. The Carnival features lavish costumes and masks, and attracts over three million visitors each year.
The origins of the Carnival date back to the 12th century with the creation of the Republic of Venice but was outlawed in 1797 by the King of Austria, who banned Venice's famous masks. The festival was revived in 1979 to preserve the city's rich culture.
