Thousands of people are expected to flock to Venice on Saturday (February 12) for the start of the annual Carnival celebrations, marking a slow return to normality after the coronavirus pandemic took a hit on the two previous editions, Reuters reports.
The 2020 Venice carnival was curtailed when the pandemic broke out in Italy in February that year and the event that usually draws tourists from around the world was cancelled the following year as the government sought to contain infections.
"This is the Carnival of hope," said Venice resident Cristian Scalise. "COVID is ending and we hope to return to our life as always."
Italy's rate of new COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations has been gradually declining in recent weeks, leading Rome to lift this week an obligation to wear facemasks outdoors under most circumstances.
Italy has registered 150,824 deaths linked to COVID-19 since its outbreak.
"I came here because I missed the Carnival so much and because we haven't been able to celebrate it for two years," said Barbara del Prato, from the city of Parma, who travelled to Venice with her entire family, all dressed in elaborate costumes.
Some 50,000 people are said to have come to the lagoon city for the centuries-old celebration, ANSA news agency reported, citing local police authorities.
The Venice Carnival began centuries ago as a period of excess before the rigours of Lent, the 40 days of fasting that traditionally precede Easter. Venetians could then hide their identities behind masks and do as they pleased.
On Saturday, only a limited number were seen wearing costumes and the mood was more subdued than usual, but this is expected to change in the coming days as festivities of this year's edition, entitled "Remember the Future", intensify.
Some key attractions, such as parades, will remain suspended to avoid contagion, authorities have ruled.
"I'm sorry not to see the masks that I would have expected but it's a restart," said Ketty Milano, a Venice resident.
The Carnival is due to run until March 1.