Italy’s Viareggio Carnival is often described as the most irreverent of all Italian Carnival celebrations. This is due to the fact that its main peculiarity is the parade of giant allegorical floats - papier-mâché works of art that can be up to 20 meters high - mocking politicians and celebrities. 

The Viareggio Carnival is possibly the most famous in Italy after the Venice Carnival, a major month-long event attracting a national and international crowd with street parties day and night, parades of floats, masquerade balls and festivities of all kinds. Let’s look at its history and how the floats are made.