The Village of Carnival

The Carnival That Lights Up the Village of Saltara

The Village of Carnival is the festival that every winter transforms the historic center of Saltara, one of the hamlets of the Municipality of Colli al Metauro in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, into a large masked village. Born a few years ago, the event has quickly become one of the most anticipated appointments of the carnival season in the lower Metauro Valley, designed especially for families and children.

A Community Celebration in the 15th-Century Alleys

The charm of the event lies in its setting: the alleys and squares of the medieval village of Saltara provide the backdrop for colorful parades, confetti, and streamers. The afternoon opens in the early afternoon and continues until evening, marked by masked parades, the traditional candy throwing, and musical entertainment curated by the local band and DJs from Radio Esmeralda.

Workshops, Games, and Flavors

The program combines many different activities designed to engage adults and children:

• dances and creative workshops organized by the "G. Leopardi" Comprehensive Institute;
• face painting and "lucky dip";
• games organized by the Santa Croce oratory and activities with foam rubber materials from the Geniale Workshop;
• Pro Loco food stand with typical Carnival sweets and a cup of hot chocolate offered to all children.

The Link with the Fano Carnival

One of the distinctive features of the Village of Carnival is its dialogue with the Fano Carnival, the custodian of Italy's oldest Carnival: among the masks in Saltara, El Vulón, the famous symbolic figure of the Fano tradition, appears, bringing a piece of the great Adriatic coast festival to the village alleys.

A Network of Volunteers and Associations

The event is the result of the collective work of numerous local entities: ACLI Saltara and the Pro Loco Saltara APS lead the organization, supported by the "G. Leopardi" Comprehensive Institute, the Fano Carnival Authority, Radio Esmeralda, the Geniale Workshop, the Santa Croce Parish, and the Musicando Band of Colli al Metauro, under the patronage of the Municipality of Colli al Metauro. An example of a village Carnival where associations and volunteering are the true protagonists.