The Carnival of Venice (Italian: Carnevale di Venezia; Venetian: Carnaval de Venessia) is an annual festival held in Venice, Italy, famous for its elaborate costumes and masks. The Carnival ends on Shrove Tuesday (Martedì Grasso or Mardi Gras), which is the day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. The Carnival traces its origins to the Middle Ages, existing for several centuries until it was abolished in 1797.

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