Illustrations: Gabriel Bella

Throughout its history, the Republic of Venice has always
had a rich calendar of festivals and rituals. These events were
regulated by the state, but still managed to involve all parts
of the population. The book traces the history of the most
important celebrations, which remain high points in city life
today. They are occasions for Venetians to get together, have
fun and share traditional food, but also times of piety and
religious faith. Their depiction has an exceptional illustrator
in painter Gabriel Bella (1730 – 1799), a careful chronicler
of 18th- century Venice, whose almost photographic precision
provides us with a visual document of scenes and characters
from a long, great history.