The Cittadella del Carnevale, inaugurated on December 15th, 2001, is the largest and most important Italian center dedicated to creativity. In terms of size, space, and services, there are no other large centers dedicated to the art of Carnival.
“The float workshops transform the urban park into a carnival, a testament to the great importance of arts and crafts. The carnival city comes alive as a structure of great scenic and artistic value.”
Francesco Tomassi designer of Cittadella del Carnevale
Cittadella features: the hangar workshops where papier-mâché artists work all year; the Museum; a large Circus; the Educational Papier-Mâché Workshops; Carnival Lab Academy; the Cittadella Bistrot; the headquarters of the Fondazione Carnevale.
The 16 hangars and other buildings are arranged around an elliptical square named after Burlamacco. The hangar doors have been painted with large-scale reproductions of details from iconic Viareggio Carnival posters. This is where the spirit of Carnival lives all year.
The access to the Cittadella is free of charge throughout the year. However, a ticket must be purchased to visit the museum spaces and participate in educational activities in the workshops.
In the past, until after the War, the floats were created in various locations around the city: near the shipyards of the Darsena, in private spaces, garages, and courtyards.
In 1948, the sheds on Via Cairoli were built, but they were destroyed in a terrible fire during the summer of 1960. In just a few months, the hangars on Via Marco Polo were constructed, where the Carnival was housed from 1961 to 2001. On September 26th, 2001, the buildings were moved to the new Cittadella.
The Cittadella Bistrot is open and ready to welcome all visitors.
For any information or bookings, contact:
+39 328 6554777
or email bistrotcittadella@gmail.com
