Grosio Old Carnival

A Carnival Out of Time

The Carneval Vecc is one of the most characteristic folkloristic traditions of Valtellina. It takes place in Grosio, in the province of Sondrio, on the first Sunday of Lent: while in the rest of Italy Carnival is already over, here the village grants itself one last day of celebration before the austerity of Lent. Popular legend has it that it was precisely the people of Grosio who invented this extension to give themselves one last Sunday of fun.

The Old Masks, Absolute Protagonists

The heart of the festival is the Old Masks, characters passed down from generation to generation. The procession is led by the couple formed by Magra Quaresima and Carneval Vecc: she, a thin old woman dressed in rags; he, a ruddy and well-fed gentleman. They are followed by popular figures such as the Bear with its keeper, the old woman Bernarda who carries a newborn in a basket and sprinkles wine on the crowd from her bottle, and Clown Toni, the Harlequin of Grosio. A gallery of masks that tells the peasant and ironic soul of the village.

Allegorical Floats and Village Identity

The parade of masks is joined by allegorical floats, often fairy-tale-like or inspired by important moments in the life of the village. The procession fills the streets of Grosio's historic centre with colour, amidst the festive crowd and the sound of music. It is a festival deeply linked to the community, which every year the Pro Loco and the people of Grosio prepare with care, keeping alive a collective memory rooted in centuries past.

A Heritage of Media Valtellina

Included in the calendar of folkloristic events promoted by the Consorzio Turistico Media Valtellina, the Carneval Vecc is a precious opportunity to discover the authenticity of Grosio and the upper valley, far from more touristy carnivals and immersed in rites that time has not eroded.