Historical Carnival of Montanaro

A carnival that speaks the language of the Canavese

The Historical Carnival of Montanaro is one of the most beloved events in the Canavese, a hilly and flat territory north of Turin where carnival traditions are lived with passion and community pride. In Montanaro, a small town in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont, the carnival is more than just a costume party: it is an identity-defining ritual that has been renewed for over half a century, involving the entire village, from the youngest children to the local conscripts and historic families.

The Ciaplera and the General

The heart of the event lies in its two official masks: the Ciaplera and the General. According to tradition, the names of the two protagonists remain secret until the very last moment, fueling anticipation and the fun 'Toto Ciaplera and General' game, where locals try to guess their identities. During the investiture ceremony held in the Piazza Donatori di Sangue pavilion, the two masks receive the sword and the keys to the city from the mayor, along with the staff and sash symbolizing the local districts and associations. They are accompanied by the conscripts, the leventi, and the historic masks of the Zecca di Fruttuaria.

Roots in the Abbey of Fruttuaria

The connection to the Zecca di Fruttuaria is no coincidence: Montanaro was one of the 'four abbey lands' governed by the Abbey of Fruttuaria in San Benigno Canavese, founded around the year 1000 by Saint William of Volpiano. Coins were even minted in one of the towers of the Montanaro castle, and the historic group of the Ciaplere and Generals of the Zecca di Fruttuaria preserves this memory today, actively participating in the festivities.

The highlights of the festival

The Montanaro carnival calendar spans several weeks and features events the community looks forward to every year:

• The investiture of the Ciaplera and the General, with the procession of historic masks;
• Visits to the districts, villages, the senior center, and the oratory by the carnival troupe;
• The bean feast (fagiolata) offered by the conscripts, a symbolic dish of popular conviviality;
• The children's carnival, dedicated to families;
• The carnival dinner and dance evening with a live orchestra;
• The grand finale with the evocative night parade of allegorical floats and the burning of the scarlo, the puppet that symbolically closes the festival.

Why it's worth the trip

Visiting the Historical Carnival of Montanaro means discovering an authentic Piedmont, far from the main tourist flows, where traditions are passed down from generation to generation. The evening parade of allegorical floats, illuminated and accompanied by masked groups from neighboring Canavese towns, is the most spectacular moment—perfect for those seeking a genuine village festival experience just a stone's throw from Turin.