6Carnival Was a Haven for Forbidden Relationships
During Carnival, social rules temporarily collapsed. Nobles mingled with commoners, clergy wandered anonymously through the streets, and identities blurred entirely. This made the season notorious for secret relationships that would have been impossible during the rest of the year.
Hidden behind masks, people pursued romances across class lines, arranged secret meetings, and lived double lives. Some historians believe Carnival contributed to Venice’s reputation as one of Europe’s most morally flexible cities.
When the masks came off, many of these relationships vanished—but not without scandal, heartbreak, or consequences.
