Castlein Carnival

A tradition spanning centuries

The Castlein Carnival is an unmissable event on the festive calendar of Castelnovo di Sotto, a town in the Reggio Emilia plain in Emilia-Romagna. Its roots lie in an ancient tradition: carnival celebrations are documented as far back as 1562, while the first "Society for the Carnival" was founded in 1885. This long history makes the Castlein one of the longest-running events in the entire province of Reggio Emilia.

The Castlein, the village's mask

The symbolic heart of the festival is the Castlein, the mask officially recognized in 1994, representing the village inhabitant "within the walls," depicted in peasant attire and speaking the local dialect. He animates the main stage and announces the winning stable at the end of the season.

Giant floats and stables

The real spectacle is the large papier-mâché floats, authentic ephemeral works of art built over an entire year by volunteers from the historic village stables, such as Olimpia 2, Montagnola, and Club 69. The floats parade through the streets accompanied by masked groups, entertainment, and music, while a jury awards the prestigious banner to the most beautiful float.

Four Sundays of celebration

The event takes place over four consecutive Sundays in February, with parades starting in the early afternoon. Alongside the float procession, the program includes:

• the Mask Museum at Palazzo Rocca, documenting the evolution of papier-mâché from the 19th century to today;
• papier-mâché and sketch exhibitions;
• food stalls with traditional fried gnocco;
• children's entertainment with clowns, jugglers, face painting, and inflatables.

A festival for the whole family

The Castlein Carnival is a deeply popular and family-friendly festival, capable of attracting thousands of visitors from all over the province. Amidst colors, joy, and the sense of community felt in the squares, it represents one of the most vibrant expressions of folklore and popular traditions in Emilia-Romagna.