Carlevé 'd Mondvì

The historic carnival of Mondovì

The Carlevé 'd Mondvì is the historic carnival of the city of Mondovì, located in the heart of the Monregalese area in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont. Organized by the Famija Monregaleisa association—active since 1949 in promoting local traditions—it is one of the most heartfelt and well-attended carnival celebrations in the region. For over three weeks, the historic center fills with color, music, confetti, and masks, involving both adults and children in a packed calendar of events.

The Moro and the Bela Monregaleisa

The heart of the festival is the court of the Moro. The Moro of Mondovì is a figure both legendary and historical, recalling the Saracen presence in the Monregalese area between the 9th and 10th centuries; he is also one of the city's symbols, represented by the automaton that strikes the hours on the Belvedere civic tower. Beside him is the Bela Monregaleisa, the "queen" of the carnival, a young woman chosen each year to represent the city during the festivities. The handing over of the city keys to the Moro and the presentation of the new Bela officially open the event.

Parades, floats, and hot-air balloons

The highlights are the two Sundays of parades. The first is dedicated to the parade of masked groups, which winds through the Breo district, the city's lower historic center. The second hosts the grand parade of allegorical floats, which travels to Piazza Monteregale amidst music, choreography, and final awards. A distinctive feature of the Mondovì carnival is the tethered hot-air balloon: Mondovì is, in fact, the Italian capital of hot-air ballooning, and these large, colorful balloons provide a stunning backdrop to the celebrations.

A festival for the whole family

The program reserves plenty of space for the little ones, with a children's village, inflatables, entertainment, and a grand carnival dedicated to kids. There is no shortage of inclusive initiatives and events designed for the elderly, reflecting a carnival that aims to belong to the entire community. Dance evenings, gala dinners, and parties complete the calendar, enlivening the squares and venues of Mondovì until late at night.

Tradition and Monregalese identity

More than just a carnival, the Carlevé 'd Mondvì is a collective story that renews the city's identity every year. The legend of the Bela kidnapped by the Moro and then freed, the connection to the history of the territory, and the civic role of the court make this festival an authentic event capable of uniting memory, folklore, and city life. Admission to all parades and square events is free.