Volo dell’Angelo: The Angel’s Flight

If you should happen to be in St Mark’s Square around midday on the 2nd Sunday of Carnival season, don’t wonder about all the spectators looking skywards, as one of the most important events is taking place in this very same day: the Volo della Colombina/dell’Angelo (the Dove’s/Angel’s Flight).

The first Angel’s Flight took place in the 16th century when a Turkish funambulist balanced from the top of the Campanile to a boat anchored in front of St Mark’s Square. This acrobatic event (thus called the Turk’s Flight in the beginning) had a huge success among the spectators and thus it was repeated every year with professional (first Turkish then also Venetian) funambulists who walked from the top of the Campanile to the loggia (balcony) of the Ducal Palace where they were welcomed, congratulated and rewarded by the Doge.

Carnevale: Volo dell'Angelo
Carnevale: Volo dell’Angelo

But when, in the middle of the 18th century, this spectacle ended with the death/fall of an acrobat, the city decided to substitute this dangerous spectacle with a symbolic act thus using a wooden dove “flying”(sliding) down from the Campanile: That’s why, still today, this event is called Volo della Colombina the “Dove’s Flight”.

Today a costumed girl (the winner of last years contest of the Marie) flies down from the Bell Tower to the Gran Teatro di Piazza San Marco that is built up for this special event (in case you’re interested in tickets, have a look here).

Carnevale: Volo della Colombina
Carnevale: Volo della Colombina

On the third Sunday, means a week after the Volo dell’Angelo, you’ll have the possibility to assist at the Volo dell’Aquila „Eagle’s Flight“ where a famous model, athlete, … (in 2014 Carolina Kostner) will start it’s flight from the Campanile – I wonder who will be flying this year – and in Mestre Piazza Ferretto the Volo dell’Asino „Donkey’s Flight“ that’s making fun of this event.

  •   Vielen Dank für den wunderbaren Nachmittag-wunderbare versteckte Ecken in San Marco gesehen und reichlich Tipps für die nächsten Male bekommen wie Museen,Bars usw.

    thumb Jens
    November 8, 2022
  •   We had a total blast at Beatrices tour. She showed us a lot of hidden corners in Venice and we moved off the beaten track. She was super knowledgable, provided... read more

    thumb Tabea
    October 30, 2022
  •   Beatrice hat uns Venedig auf wundervolle Weise ein Stück näher gebracht. Auch mein Sohn war sehr interessiert dabei. Absolut empfehlenswert!!

    thumb Helena
    October 24, 2022
  •   sehr empfehlenswert !!!

    thumb Joachim
    October 24, 2022
  •   Toll!

    thumb Rebecca
    June 13, 2022
  •   Ich kann Beatrice herzlich empfehlen. Sie liebt Venedig, hat viel Wissen darüber und kann es bestens vermitteln, darüber hinaus in Ecken ohne Touristen.

    thumb Ivana
    June 8, 2022
  •   Es war eine sehr schöne Tour und Beatrix konnte wirklich auf jede Frage eine Antwort geben.

    thumb Annette
    May 28, 2022
  •   This tour is a "Hidden Gem" for the "Hidden Corners" of Venice. Beatrice is a passionate and learned tour guide that shared so many intriguing stories about life in Venice... read more

    thumb Ralph
    May 28, 2022
  •   Beatrice hat nicht nur eine sehr schöne Führung (prima Balance aus Sightseeing und Wissensvermittlung) gemacht sondern vorher und nachher viele weitere und sehr hilfreiche Tipps für den Venedigurlaub geliefert (und... read more

    thumb Jan
    May 15, 2022
  •   Beatrice hat uns sehr charmant , kenntnisreich und mit viel Liebe abseits der Touristenströme durch ihr Venedig geführt. Es war sehr interessant, kurzweilig und ausgewogen. Hervorragend waren die vielen kleinen... read more

    thumb Katrin
    May 15, 2022
error: Attention: This content is protected and subject to copyright!