5Some Carnival Masks Were Once Illegal
The Venetian government loved carnival — but only to a point.
Because masks enabled secrecy, they were often linked to crime, political conspiracies, and illicit affairs. Over time, strict laws were introduced to regulate when and where masks could be worn.
At various points in history, masks were banned:
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At night
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Inside churches
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Outside official carnival periods
Breaking these rules could result in fines or imprisonment. The irony? The very masks that symbolized freedom were also closely monitored by the state.
