Versilia is a unique place in the world, known for its incredible historic centres, sunny beaches and pristine hills. But when one thinks of Versilia one also undoubtedly thinks of the Carnival: in fact, the Viareggio Carnival is certainly the most important initiative of our territory, with an ancient tradition, a real celebration that entertains young and old, famous all over the world .
But Pietrasanta is also talked about: a noble city since 1841, a place of art and artists, even Little Athens hosts various events every year in February during the Carnival. Pietrasanta's artistic vein gives its best in the creation of allegorical floats, masked parades, songs and music that rejoice our hearts in this period of the year.
The history of the Pietrasantino Carnival began more than a century ago. Already at the dawn of the twentieth century, in fact, the streets of the historic center animated before the Lenten season; in particular, the masquerades re-proposed famous historical moments of the town. The first allegorical float that paraded through via Mazzini was "Michelangelo's Great Procession", during the Carnival of 1910, organized by the art professors Papini, Augelli, Pavisa and Mazzei. The theme of the masked procession
and the chariot wanted to remember the transport of Carrara marble that Michelangelo came to choose to give life to his unique monuments. The show included a really funny final choreography, in which Michelangelo's mask took a large block of marble under his arm, made it into a ball of paper and started playing football.
This year, after a two-year stop caused by the pandemic, we will once again see the Carnival floats parading through the usual circuit between Piazza Matteotti, Viale Marconi and Via San Francesco and Provinciale per Vallecchia. The districts that will compete to win the Frido Graziani Award and the banner represent the various hamlets of the municipality of Pietrasanta: Africa-Macelli, Il Tiglio-La Beca, La Lanterna, La Collina, Strettoia, Pontestrada, Marina, Pollino-Traversagna Antichi Feudi, Brancagliana (the appointments of this carnival: Sunday 12 February, Sunday 19 February, Tuesday 21 February, Sunday 21 February.
In addition to the Sunday and Shrove Tuesday events, the Pietrasantino Carnival also includes the Festa della Canzonetta, in which the various districts compete to the sound of music, with original carnival-themed songs, to win the Sprocco prize, as well as the Festa delle Skitte and the Dialect Theater.
The Pietrasanta Carnival is a truly unmissable event, for those who want to indulge in unique moments of light-heartedness and joy, in a unique location such as the historic center of Pietrasanta.
