Habsburg Carnival in Madonna di Campiglio

There is certainly no shortage of famous Carnival celebrations in Italy and around the world. But there is a place where the Carnival festivities take on a completely distinctive form: we are obviously talking about the Habsburg Carnival in Madonna di Campiglio, a carnival tradition in its own right that draws life, inspiration, and form from the Habsburg court of the times of Emperor Franz Joseph and Princess Sissi.
But why is this distant era commemorated in Madonna di Campiglio during the carnival week? And what are the highlight events of this typical demonstration in Val Rendena?

The history of the Habsburg Carnival in Madonna di Campiglio

If there is a princess of times past known and loved all over the world, it is certainly Sissi, namely Elisabeth of Bavaria. The beautiful princess of Wittelsbach became Empress of Austria by marrying Franz Joseph I of Austria, whose reign lasted nearly 70 years. Well, as it happens, Sissi and Emperor Franz Joseph chose the Brenta Dolomites and Madonna di Campiglio several times as a destination for their holidays. The August Sovereign's first stay in our village took place in September 1889, and the second occurred 5 years later.
Sissi loved the mountains and particularly the landscape of the Dolomites: she indeed confessed "on the highest and most solitary peaks I can breathe more freely, while others would feel lost". It is therefore no surprise that Madonna di Campiglio was chosen as a holiday destination for the court, even less so knowing that at the time the town had been renamed by the Habsburgs themselves as "The pearl of the Dolomites".
Thus, during the periods of the Habsburg dynasty's stay, Madonna di Campiglio became a succession of concerts and masquerade balls, the splendors of an empire at its peak. Well, the Habsburg Carnival in Madonna di Campiglio aims to revive those years, bringing the Vienna court back to the streets and squares of the center.

How the Carnival takes place in Madonna di Campiglio

The banners of the Austro-Hungarian Empire make their appearance in the squares, on hotels, on buildings, on villas. Balls and parades are organized, while elegant carriages pulled by exuberant horses move through the streets of the center, transporting gentlemen and ladies in sumptuous nineteenth-century clothes here and there. The rhythm that brings Madonna di Campiglio to life, in that Carnival week, is obviously the harmonious and romantic one of the waltz.
The Habsburg Carnival typically opens with the arrival of the Court in the center: the highlight moment is the arrival of the carriage with Emperor Franz Joseph and with the protagonist of the celebrations, Princess Sissi. The heart of the event is the Hofer Hall, the Habsburg ballroom, enriched by the paintings of Gottfried Hofer, where tea and pastries are served in the company of the princess.
There is also no shortage of events dedicated to children, themed aperitifs in the venues of Madonna di Campiglio, or even spectacular skiing sessions in Habsburg costume together with the royal couple and the court. Closing the Carnival of Madonna di Campiglio every year is the Emperor's Grand Ball, a period costume ball in the spacious areas of the Hofer Hall.
Looking for an original and at the same time ancient Carnival? We look forward to seeing you in February in Madonna di Campiglio!

Photo credits: ApT Campigliodolomiti - Bisti Paolo