Traditional Matòci Carnival (El Carneval de Valfloriana)

One of the oldest carnivals in the Alps

In the small municipality of Valfloriana, nestled among the woods of the Val di Fiemme in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige), one of the most archaic and genuine carnivals of the Alps survives. El Carneval de Valfloriana, known everywhere as the Matòci Carnival, is not a staged tourist re-enactment: it is a living peasant tradition, passed down from generation to generation and remaining essentially unchanged, without following the spectacular models of the great Italian carnivals.

The wooden masks: the facère

The heart of the festival lies in the facère, masks made of Swiss pine and larch wood hand-carved by local artisans, worn alongside hats and costumes that are also handcrafted. Each character has a precise role within the procession:

• Matòci: the main figures who lead the masked procession from hamlet to hamlet;
• Arlechini: dancers who lead the way and accompany the Paiàci;
• Sonadori: the musicians with their accordions;
• Paiàci: the masks that perform sketches and satirical dances;
• Sposi and Bèle: the couple and the guests who recall the ancient wedding procession.

A distinctive element is the Contrest, the witty back-and-forth between the Matòci and the spectators along the route: a participatory moment that makes every edition unique.

A procession that crosses the hamlets

The parade kicks off in the upper part of the municipality, from the hamlet of Sicina, and slowly descends, touching the small scattered settlements of Valfloriana — Montalbiano, Valle-Casanova, Dorà — until it concludes in the evening in the hamlet of Villaggio, with a historic meeting point in the square of Casatta. It is a journey that lasts the entire day, marked by convivial stops.

Mountain flavors along the way

Every stop is also a gastronomic moment: breakfast at the start, lunch with polenta, stew, and cheese, a sweet and savory afternoon snack, and finally hot sandwiches and mulled wine. Traditional local dishes are always present, such as barley supa (soup) and casat, the typical cheese of the valley.

The origins

The roots of the Matòci Carnival lie in the ancient winter wedding processions that once animated the villages during the dormant season of agricultural work. It is considered one of the very few archaic carnivals of the Alpine region to have survived to the present day. After a period of interruption, the festival is now managed by the Pro Loco «Valfloriana e il suo Carnevale», which preserves its authenticity and ensures its continuity.