Civitellese Carnival

The oldest carnival in Romagna

The Civitellese Carnival is one of the most rooted and beloved events in the Forlì Apennines. It takes place in Civitella di Romagna, a small municipality in the Province of Forlì-Cesena nestled in the Bidente valley, and boasts a centuries-old history that makes it, according to local sources, one of the oldest carnivals in Romagna.

According to historian Addis Sante Meleti, carnival celebrations in Civitella date back to the 17th century: originally, they represented the last moment of joy and lightness before the start of Lent. The tradition was later consolidated starting from 1961, when the carnival acquired an independent identity and an increasingly recognizable character, also giving rise to appreciated artisanal activity related to papier-mâché processing.

Masks, music, and a public festival

Unlike other Romagna carnivals focused on large allegorical floats, the Civitellese Carnival is above all a great public festival enlivened by masked groups. The heart of the day is Piazza Matteotti, where the main parade takes place, while the historic center, from the fortress to the village streets, fills with colors, costumes, and itinerant music.

From the morning, the village comes alive in conjunction with the usual weekly market: people dance and sing among the stalls, while in the afternoon, the masked groups enter the scene with their meticulously crafted costumes. The festival involves the entire community, from children to adults, in a climate of popular merriment.

The Pasqualotti, ambassadors of tradition

Civitella di Romagna is also the birthplace of the Pasqualotti, the folk group that during the Epiphany period sings the "Pasquella," an ancient song of good wishes, going from house to house with music, verses, and dances. It was precisely the Pasqualotti who brought the identity of the Civitellese carnival far beyond local borders: in 2026, the Historic Carnival of Civitella di Romagna was chosen to represent Emilia-Romagna at the prestigious Venice Carnival, performing on the stage of Piazza San Marco with traditional songs, mazurkas, and famous tunes like "Romagna Mia."

The flavors of Romagna

Like any self-respecting Romagna festival, the Civitellese Carnival also has its delicious side: during the day, a refreshment point is active with traditional specialties, from fried piadina to cured meats, from mulled wine to typical sweets of the period. An opportunity to discover the hospitality and products of this corner of the Forlì Apennines, between one parade and another.